Praise for Homeschooling Freedom
I'm sure anyone who acted regarding HJ 92 is aware of the victory in VA. However, we need to realize this shot across the bow is not going to be the last. Trolling is what the opposition often does. Pray for freedom to home educate. I'm asking God for it to be a mercy He gives us long after it should be gone based on what else we'll see in our midst. Please consider joining HSLDA if you aren't a member...and pray for the next generation to have plenty of attorneys willing to work for them. Of course, we need to be producing kids of that caliber in our homeschools....but that is another topic. Let us all research and take responsibility for the educational path we set before our kids, keeping the end result in mind and realizing what we 'think' is a quality education needs to be validated with facts.
Protect Homeschooling Freedom--Act Now Please!
Crucial Week to Stop Attack on Faith-Based Homeschooling
Senior Counsel Scott Woodruff answers questions and assists members with legal issues in your state. He and his wife homeschooled their children. Read more >> |
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:
This is the crucial week when the House Rules Committee may decide to protect your freedom by voting “no” on HJ 92 or move toward restricting faith-based homeschool families by voting “yes.” The Committee is expected to meet this Friday, January 31.
Lobbyists who want to reduce your freedom have been visiting lawmakers urging them to support HJ 92. Will you help counteract their influence?
We need your voice this week to help fill Richmond with the message that freedom is priority number one, and that HJ 92 should be stopped!
Action Requested
1. Find out who your delegate is! Use this link. If your delegate is on the Rules Committee (see list of members below) please:
2. Pay a personal visit to your delegate before Friday. Explain in your own words why you are opposed to HJ 92, and ask your delegate to vote against it. Delegates pay attention to their constituents! The offices of all delegates are located in the General Assembly Building, 910 Capitol St., Richmond. Here is a link to directions and parking suggestions. Before you go, take a few minutes and familiarize yourself with the issues by reading the background section below and the talking points.
3. If it just won’t work for you to visit your delegate in person, place a phone call to your delegate. The phone numbers are listed below. Your message can be as simple as “I am one of your constituents. Please vote NO on HJ 92. No study is needed of the religious exemption. It has been a cornerstone of religious freedom in Virginia for 37 years.” Or you can make your own message using information in this e-lert.
4. Mark your calendar to come to Richmond on February 4. I plan to visit the office of every committee member that morning. Is your delegate on the committee? If so, it will be incredibly helpful if you, their constituent, come with me. We will go as a group and visit each member of the committee. Together we can multiply our impact! I will send details about time and location later this week. This HLSDA event is independent of but on the same day as the Capitol Day sponsored by Home Educator’s Association of Virginia. The HSLDA event will be canceled if the committee kills HJ 92 on Friday. The HEAV event will go forward regardless.
Contact Information
Steven Landes (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1025
Email: DelSLandes@house.virginia.gov
M. Kirkland Cox (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1066
Email: DelKCox@house.virginia.gov
Terry Kilgore (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1001
Email: DelTKilgore@house.virginia.gov
R. Lee Ware (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1065
Email: DelLWare@house.virginia.gov
S. Chris Jones (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1076
Email: DelCJones@house.virginia.gov
Robert D. Orrock (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1054
Email: DelBOrrock@house.virginia.gov
Barry D. Knight (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1081
Email: DelBKnight@house.virginia.gov
Riley E. Ingram (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1062
Email: DelRIngram@house.virginia.gov
Jimmie Massie (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1072
Email: DelJMassie@house.virginia.gov
Gregory Habeeb (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1008
Email: DelGHabeeb@house.virginia.gov
Johnny S. Joannou (D)
Phone: (804) 698-1079
Email: DelJJoannou@house.virginia.gov
Kenneth R. Plum (D)
Phone: (804) 698-1036
Email: DelKPlum@house.virginia.gov
Algie Howell, Jr. (D)
Phone: (804) 698-1090
Email: DelAHowell@house.virginia.gov
David J. Toscano (D)
Phone: (804) 698-1057
Email: DelDToscano@house.virginia.gov
Background
A study by Dr. Brian Ray showed that students homeschooled under the religious exemption score 33 percentile points higher than others on standardized tests.
The study itself would place an administrative burden on the state Department of Education and local school boards. But the measure provides no funds to cover these additional expenses. It is an unfunded mandate.
No study is necessary. All five of the questions that HJ 92 proposes can be answered without a study.
The first question is how school boards decide if an exemption should be granted. The simple answer is that they follow the clear requirements of the statute.
The second question is whether school boards ever review their decisions. The answer is simple. Laws already on the books would allow a school board to review its decision if there is a good reason to review it.
The third question is whether school boards require an exemption to be renewed. The simple answer is that some do and some don’t.
The fourth question is whether school boards monitor the education of exempted students. The simple answer is no. They are exempt from all government education mandates.
The fifth question is whether the religious exemption statute should be amended to better carry out the state’s duty under the Virginia Constitution to provide free public education and compulsory attendance. This question shows that Del. Rust, who sponsored HJ 92, does not understand the Virginia Constitution.
The simple answer is that the religious exemption statute was never intended to implement the public education-compulsory attendance sections of the Constitution. It was intended to implement a far older, and far more foundational part of the Constitution: Article 1, Section 15, which guarantees the free exercise of religion.
One homeschool graduate recently criticized the religious exemption statute claiming that because it allowed his parents to homeschool him without government mandates, he had to take remedial classes when he enrolled in community college. This complaint does not hold water. Sixty percent of all community college students take at least one remedial or developmental class. And despite the education he got at home, now he attends Georgetown University, one of the nation’s top 25.
Between 1976 when the religious exemption statute was enacted and 1984 when the home instruction statute was enacted, religious exemption was the only way to homeschool legally. It’s not likely, but if the home instruction statute were ever repealed, the religious exemption statute would still allow families to homeschool their children if they believe that enrolling their children in public school is against God’s will for them.
A number of Virginia Amish families stop providing formal education to their children once they finish 8th grade. These families could be in danger of criminal prosecution if the religious exemption statute is threatened. Many other deeply religious families place such an emphasis on separation from the state that they would refuse to file a notice of intent if the religious exemption were not available. They, too, could be in danger of prosecution if the exemption is threatened.
The religious exemption statute works so well and with so little controversy that during its 37 years of operation, it has generated only one lawsuit that has come before the Virginia appellate courts.
Legislative studies are often used to clear the path so more laws can be enacted. It’s obvious that Del. Rust’s real plan is to use the results of the study (if it is conducted) to somehow support him in trying to take away some of your rights in the future.
Our webpage for HJ 92 provides a link to additional talking points about HJ 92.
The Home Educators Association of Virginia, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, and HSLDA are united in opposing HJ 92.
Thank you for standing with us for freedom!
Sincerely,
Scott A. Woodruff
HSLDA Senior Counsel
P.S. We greatly value you and your support—it is a privilege to serve you! If you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join or recommend us? Your support for our work enables us to defend individual families threatened by government officials and protect homeschooling freedom for all. Join now >>
• • • •
Extreme makeovers are for extreme circumstances...
Most homeschools don’t need an extreme makeover, but there is something to be said for attention to detail and recognition of accomplishments. Watch the media and you’ll soon see that not everyone wants home educators and homeschooling to look good. HSLDA works hard to shed light on the good work of home educators so it’s obvious that we don’t need someone “making-over” our homeschools. Join HSLDA and help us show the world that we’re fine as we are…thank you!
More reasons to join HSLDA >>
Homeschooling, Cooking, Life Skills
I'm not one to take a lot of days to cook or do 'different' math with my kids. I LOVE homeschooling, the vast majority of the time, and with the way the human mind looks for patterns, I feel a routine with school aids success. Being deeply committed to my kids' academic success, I've worked to overcome my negative tendencies that are in total opposition to 1. starting early 2. routine. Be assured, natural tendencies can come close to imitating forces that cannot be altered!
All this to say, that with being sick as I presently am (and have been all week), and the presence of frozen white joy outside, I've been inspired to mix it up today. And wow, what a needed experience. I had my two youngest grade yesterday's math for each other.
Skill: grade someone else's paper and be kind--learning to 'see' the correct answer and how to mark another person's paper is a nice thing to know. They then corrected what they got wrong, having found similar problems in their text if it was the sort of problem that they couldn't honestly "redo" (whether that be because the person who corrected wrote the correct answer for them---ah, skill moment!---or it was too apparent for an honest re-appraisal). This took far longer than I'd anticipated, and a lot more energy than I'd forsaw when the brilliant plan occurred to me this A.M.
Following this learning experience, we did flash cards in a competitive way: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. With kids that are in Saxon 54 and 65, but 30 lessons apart within those, this was clearly not an evenly matched situation, but it motivated the younger to understand why skip counting isn't on par with memorizing multiplication facts, and we all had fun. It also demonstrated how important it is to repeat those basic skills because at this point, they are nearly evenly matched with the easier math.
With both these younger kids loving to cook, I'm now instructing them in the art of soup making. The broth was made last night in the crock pot, so they are doing the chopping, dicing, sauteing and seasoning. Kids who cook readily see the importance of understanding fractions!
Better get back to instructing on the soup. Hope this inspires you to have fun in your school on occasion.
~Ann
All this to say, that with being sick as I presently am (and have been all week), and the presence of frozen white joy outside, I've been inspired to mix it up today. And wow, what a needed experience. I had my two youngest grade yesterday's math for each other.
Skill: grade someone else's paper and be kind--learning to 'see' the correct answer and how to mark another person's paper is a nice thing to know. They then corrected what they got wrong, having found similar problems in their text if it was the sort of problem that they couldn't honestly "redo" (whether that be because the person who corrected wrote the correct answer for them---ah, skill moment!---or it was too apparent for an honest re-appraisal). This took far longer than I'd anticipated, and a lot more energy than I'd forsaw when the brilliant plan occurred to me this A.M.
Following this learning experience, we did flash cards in a competitive way: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. With kids that are in Saxon 54 and 65, but 30 lessons apart within those, this was clearly not an evenly matched situation, but it motivated the younger to understand why skip counting isn't on par with memorizing multiplication facts, and we all had fun. It also demonstrated how important it is to repeat those basic skills because at this point, they are nearly evenly matched with the easier math.
With both these younger kids loving to cook, I'm now instructing them in the art of soup making. The broth was made last night in the crock pot, so they are doing the chopping, dicing, sauteing and seasoning. Kids who cook readily see the importance of understanding fractions!
Better get back to instructing on the soup. Hope this inspires you to have fun in your school on occasion.
~Ann
Gallery: States with the worst schools
Gallery: States with the worst schools.
We all really need to support homeschooling freedom. Even if you don't plan to ever do it yourself; at least come alongside those who can or want to so their kids have a better shot at a great education. We're all in this society together and our kids will all be working alongside one another, marrying one another, serving one another in hospitals and stores...
American's need to raise the bar and homeschooling education is a great way to do it.
We all really need to support homeschooling freedom. Even if you don't plan to ever do it yourself; at least come alongside those who can or want to so their kids have a better shot at a great education. We're all in this society together and our kids will all be working alongside one another, marrying one another, serving one another in hospitals and stores...
American's need to raise the bar and homeschooling education is a great way to do it.
Life News Now-- Post Worth Sharing
I Am Overwhelmed by 55 Million Babies Killed Since Roe v. Wade
by Kristan Hawkins | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 1/22/13 11:40 AM
What can I say that hasn’t already been said about today?
Yesterday evening, I was sitting in my living room working while watching my sons play. I began to think about what my life would have been without them. How different I would be. How their lives have already made this world a different place since they were born. How much I would hurt if I had chosen abortion.
Then, I thought of the more than 55,000,000 lives that have been taken in the U.S. since 1973, and I became overwhelmed at the tragedy. Tragedy for the babies, their mothers, their fathers, families, and us.
Who is our nation missing? What price is our society paying for the ultimate deceit of abortion?
40 years ago today, seven men on the Supreme Court decided in favor of a case presented to them from a 27 year-old, unknown, post-abortive lawyer, Sarah Weddington. That case was Roe v. Wade and, along with its companion Doe v. Bolton, it legalized abortion in all 9 months of pregnancy, for any reason, in the United States.
Today, this 27 year-old is writing to you as a survivor of that decision. The undeniable fact is that nearly a third of my generation is missing. We are missing brothers, sisters, cousins, friends, husbands and wives.
You see, Miss Weddington’s generation got it wrong. In attempting to correct gender inequality in the workplace and in our society, they set into motion the ultimate act of discrimination – abortion. Instead of glorifying motherhood, they pitted the mother against her child, creating an endless cycle of selfishness, pain, and deceit.
But this generation is determined to set it right. We’ve seen the ultrasounds of our siblings, googled “abortion” and seen the bloody images, and sat with a friend as she cried about her abortion. This youth generation is the most pro-life generation of young people since 1973; we’re even more pro-life than even our parents’ generation. And this week our presence will be known as this generation will be the predominant participants in Wednesday’s March for Life in Washington, D.C. and pro-life rallies across the nation.
This week, we will be proudly carrying our “I am the Pro-Life Generation” signs, and Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry will watch their target audience slip away.
In fact, we already have. When Nancy Keenan, the former president of NARAL/Pro-Choice America, announced her resignation last year, she cited the lack of young pro-abortion leaders as the reason she wanted to step down. This month’s Time magazine headline story dealt with the same problem, claiming that the pro-abortion movement has been losing since 1973.
And last week’s new Planned Parenthood video and talking points on abortion confirm this fact. They don’t want to use the term “pro-choice” anymore because it’s too negatively associated with abortion. You see, they know when abortion is mentioned, their favorability falls. Their goal? Never bring it up.
So, what should be our goal? To bring up abortion in every conversation we can – in church, the grocery store, at school, and at the neighborhood party. To never forget about abortion, no matter how busy our lives may get or how sad or immobilized we become by this immense, overwhelming tragedy.
Friend, it’s time to rise up. Rise up off of your couch, out of your dorm room, or pew. Rise up and dedicate your life to something bigger than yourself.
CLICK LIKE IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE!
It is the time for us to tell our stories to our friends and family about how abortion has hurt us. It’s time to paint the vision by telling people what our nation will look like without abortion and how it’s possible. It’s time to seek real justice with those young women and men facing unplanned, crisis pregnancies. It’s time to shine the light of truth, to expose Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry for what they really are.
It’s the time to stand courageously for Life.
Friends, I believe this generation of survivors will see abortion abolished in our lifetime. But it won’t be easy.
“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
I hope today, on this day of overwhelming sorrow, you will join us. There’s so much you can do.
LifeNews Note: Kristan Hawkins is the president of Students for Life of America and a LifeNews blogger.
by Kristan Hawkins | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 1/22/13 11:40 AM
What can I say that hasn’t already been said about today?
Yesterday evening, I was sitting in my living room working while watching my sons play. I began to think about what my life would have been without them. How different I would be. How their lives have already made this world a different place since they were born. How much I would hurt if I had chosen abortion.
Then, I thought of the more than 55,000,000 lives that have been taken in the U.S. since 1973, and I became overwhelmed at the tragedy. Tragedy for the babies, their mothers, their fathers, families, and us.
Who is our nation missing? What price is our society paying for the ultimate deceit of abortion?
40 years ago today, seven men on the Supreme Court decided in favor of a case presented to them from a 27 year-old, unknown, post-abortive lawyer, Sarah Weddington. That case was Roe v. Wade and, along with its companion Doe v. Bolton, it legalized abortion in all 9 months of pregnancy, for any reason, in the United States.
Today, this 27 year-old is writing to you as a survivor of that decision. The undeniable fact is that nearly a third of my generation is missing. We are missing brothers, sisters, cousins, friends, husbands and wives.
You see, Miss Weddington’s generation got it wrong. In attempting to correct gender inequality in the workplace and in our society, they set into motion the ultimate act of discrimination – abortion. Instead of glorifying motherhood, they pitted the mother against her child, creating an endless cycle of selfishness, pain, and deceit.
But this generation is determined to set it right. We’ve seen the ultrasounds of our siblings, googled “abortion” and seen the bloody images, and sat with a friend as she cried about her abortion. This youth generation is the most pro-life generation of young people since 1973; we’re even more pro-life than even our parents’ generation. And this week our presence will be known as this generation will be the predominant participants in Wednesday’s March for Life in Washington, D.C. and pro-life rallies across the nation.
This week, we will be proudly carrying our “I am the Pro-Life Generation” signs, and Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry will watch their target audience slip away.
In fact, we already have. When Nancy Keenan, the former president of NARAL/Pro-Choice America, announced her resignation last year, she cited the lack of young pro-abortion leaders as the reason she wanted to step down. This month’s Time magazine headline story dealt with the same problem, claiming that the pro-abortion movement has been losing since 1973.
And last week’s new Planned Parenthood video and talking points on abortion confirm this fact. They don’t want to use the term “pro-choice” anymore because it’s too negatively associated with abortion. You see, they know when abortion is mentioned, their favorability falls. Their goal? Never bring it up.
So, what should be our goal? To bring up abortion in every conversation we can – in church, the grocery store, at school, and at the neighborhood party. To never forget about abortion, no matter how busy our lives may get or how sad or immobilized we become by this immense, overwhelming tragedy.
Friend, it’s time to rise up. Rise up off of your couch, out of your dorm room, or pew. Rise up and dedicate your life to something bigger than yourself.
CLICK LIKE IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE!
It is the time for us to tell our stories to our friends and family about how abortion has hurt us. It’s time to paint the vision by telling people what our nation will look like without abortion and how it’s possible. It’s time to seek real justice with those young women and men facing unplanned, crisis pregnancies. It’s time to shine the light of truth, to expose Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry for what they really are.
It’s the time to stand courageously for Life.
Friends, I believe this generation of survivors will see abortion abolished in our lifetime. But it won’t be easy.
“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
I hope today, on this day of overwhelming sorrow, you will join us. There’s so much you can do.
LifeNews Note: Kristan Hawkins is the president of Students for Life of America and a LifeNews blogger.
Richmond, VA Rally HSLDA
Join Mike Farris in
Richmond to Rally for Liberty
 Help us reclaim government. |
 Mike Farris is the founder and chairman of HSLDA and a homeschooling father of 10. Read more >> |
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:
This week offers an excellent opportunity to stand for homeschool freedom and hear HSLDA Founder and Chairman Mike Farris explain his latest project for reclaiming government.
On Thursday, January 23, Mike Farris will join Virginia Christian Alliance (VCA) as it holds its Lobby Day in Richmond. One of the items on VCA’s priority list is opposing Delegate Thomas Rust’s resolution, HJ92, to question your freedom to homeschool your children under the religious exemption statute. This event will offer an important opportunity for you to visit the offices of your legislators and those who will soon be voting on the bill to voice your opposition to this measure.
Mike Farris will be the keynote speaker for the event. He will explain the details of the Convention of States Project, which is seeking to pass resolutions in 34 states that will require Congress to call an Article V Convention of the States to propose constitutional amendments that limit the power, scope, and jurisdiction of the federal government. You can learn more about this effort online.
The event will convene in House Room 1 of the Capitol Building at 9:30 a.m. If you would like to attend, please contact Rita Dunaway at ritadunaway@selfgovern.com.
Sincerely,
HSLDA-Further Action Needed-VA Homeschoolers
Call Committee to Protect
the Religious Exemption
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:As you know from our last e-lert, Virginia Delegate Thomas Rust (R-Fairfax) has filed a measure, HJ 92, that seeks to question your freedom to practice your faith as you homeschool your children under the religious exemption statute.
Despite the many, many phone calls he has received, he refuses to understand that his most important job is to protect freedom. He refuses to pull back from HJ 92.
Now it is time to bring our message to the members of the House Rules Committee, where HJ 92 is now pending.
Action Requested
1. Sometime before Friday, January 31 (the committee might meet on that date), call, email, write, or visit your delegate if he or she is on the Rules Committee. See the list of committee members below. Use our Legislative Toolbox to find out who your delegate is. You can use information in this e-lert to craft a message for your delegate. Or your message can be as simple as: “Please do not support HJ 92. No study is needed. The religious exemption statute has been a cornerstone of religious freedom in Virginia for 37 years.”
2. If you live in Del. Rust’s district and have not gotten through to him by phone or email, please continue trying to contact him. If you do not live in his district, you can step down from efforts to call him.
3. No additional emails or calls are needed to the chairman of the Rules Committee, Delegate Bill Howell. (If you live in Delegate Algie Howell Jr.’s district, please contact him.)
Contact Information
Steven Landes (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1025
Email: DelSLandes@house.virginia.gov
M. Kirkland Cox (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1066
Email: DelKCox@house.virginia.gov
Terry Kilgore (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1001
Email: DelTKilgore@house.virginia.gov
R. Lee Ware (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1065
Email: DelLWare@house.virginia.gov
S. Chris Jones (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1076
Email: DelCJones@house.virginia.gov
Robert D. Orrock (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1054
Email: DelBOrrock@house.virginia.gov
Barry D. Knight (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1081
Email: DelBKnight@house.virginia.gov
Riley E. Ingram (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1062
Email: DelRIngram@house.virginia.gov
Jimmie Massie (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1072
Email: DelJMassie@house.virginia.gov
Gregory Habeeb (R)
Phone: (804) 698-1008
Email: DelGHabeeb@house.virginia.gov
Johnny S. Joannou (D)
Phone: (804) 698-1079
Email: DelJJoannou@house.virginia.gov
Kenneth R. Plum (D)
Phone: (804) 698-1036
Email: DelKPlum@house.virginia.gov
Algie Howell, Jr. (D)
Phone: (804) 698-1090
Email: DelAHowell@house.virginia.gov
David J. Toscano (D)
Phone: (804) 698-1057
Email: DelDToscano@house.virginia.gov
Background
A study by Dr. Brian Ray showed that students homeschooled under the religious exemption score 33 percentile points higher than others on standardized tests.
The study itself would place an administrative burden on the state Department of Education and local school boards. But the measure provides no funds to cover these additional expenses. It is an unfunded mandate.
No study is necessary. All five of the questions that HJ 92 proposes can be answered right now—without a study.
The first question is how school boards decide if an exemption should be granted. The simple answer is that they follow the clear requirements of the statute.
The second question is whether school boards ever review their decisions. The answer is simple. Laws already on the books would allow a school board to review its decision if there is a good reason to review it.
The third question is whether school boards require an exemption to be renewed. The simple answer is that some do and some don’t.
The fourth question is whether school boards monitor the education of exempted students. The simple answer is no. They are exempt from all government education mandates.
The fifth question is whether the religious exemption statute should be amended to better carry out the state’s duty under the Virginia Constitution to provide free public education and compulsory attendance. This question shows that Del. Rust does not understand the Virginia Constitution.
The simple answer is that the religious exemption statute was never intended to implement the education sections of the Constitution. It was intended to implement a far older, and far more foundational part of the Constitution: Article 1, Section 15, which guarantees the free exercise of religion.
One homeschool graduate recently criticized the religious exemption statute claiming that because it allowed his parents to homeschool him without government mandates, he had to take remedial classes when he enrolled in community college. This complaint does not hold water. Sixty percent of all community college students take at least one remedial or developmental class. And despite the education he got at home, now he attends Georgetown University, one of the nation’s top 25.
Between 1976 when the religious exemption statute was enacted and 1984 when the home instruction statute was enacted, religious exemption was the only way to homeschool legally. It’s not likely, but if the home instruction statute were ever repealed, the religious exemption statute would still allow families to homeschool their children if they believe that enrolling their children in public school is against God’s will for them.
A number of Virginia Amish families stop providing formal education to their children once they finish 8th grade. These families could be in danger of criminal prosecution if the religious exemption statute is threatened. Many other deeply religious families place such an emphasis on separation from the state that they would refuse to file a notice of intent if the religious exemption were not available. They, too, could be in danger of prosecution if the exemption is threatened.
The religious exemption statute works so well and with so little controversy that during its 37 years of operation, it has generated only one lawsuit that has come before the Virginia appellate courts.
Legislative studies are often used to clear a path so more laws can be enacted. It’s obvious that Del Rust’s real plan is to use the results of the study (if it is conducted) to somehow support him in trying to take away some of your rights in the future.
Our web page for HJ 92 provides a link to additional talking points about HJ 92.
The Home Educators Association of Virginia, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, and HSLDA are united in opposing HJ 92.
Thank you for standing with us for freedom!
Sincerely,
Scott A. Woodruff
HSLDA Senior Counsel
P.S. We greatly value you and your support—it is a privilege to serve you! If you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join or recommend us? Your support enables us to defend individual families threatened by government officials and protect homeschooling freedom for all. Join now >>
• • • •
What Do You Look Like when You Get out of Bed?
It’s hard to look our best all the time. HSLDA works to present homeschooling in an engaging, dynamic, and informative light to the public news media.
More reasons to join HSLDA >>
Israel Update
Could you imagine for a moment being born into an Islamic Muslim family? From childhood you are told that if you do this, or that, they will hold you down on a bench and give you 30, 40 or more lashes with a whip, but if you do this, or that, they will cut your hands or feet off. But if you do this, or that, we will bury you up to your head in the ground and stone you to death – starting with small stones and then larger ones. But if you do this, or that, we will cut your head off. And if you ever renounce Islam we will hunt you down and kill you. That is just a small look at Sharia Law. It is really much worse. From childhood you are taught that killing Jews will get you into heaven. Or to die killing any non-Muslim in Jihad will get you into Paradise to be with Allah. And if you give your life as a suicide bomber you are guaranteed to be in Paradise with Allah.
These are the people that Obama and Kerry are trying to force Israel to give up more land to. Knowing it will bring about the end of the Jewish state of Israel. These are also the same people that Obama is moving into positions in the US Government and around the country to begin an Islamic revolution along with nationwide race riots in order to allow the introduction of Martial law.
Obama’s support for the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood should be more than enough proof even for the most liberal American. Yet it seems there is a spiritual blindness that has kept them from seeing the truth. Today, Egypt is turning to Russia for military support. Even allowing Russia to build a sea port on the Egyptian shores of the Mediterranean. This will give Russia a port to our north in Syria and now one just to our south on the Egyptian coast. When you consider the kind of missiles these Russian warships carry it is scary to say the least.</p
Hamas in Gaza was created and supported by the Muslim Brotherhood out of Egypt. This means Hamas now find themselves in a very bad position as Egypt is closing down their supply tunnels into Gaza and the border crossing. Declaring the Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Organization.
With life becoming harder every day in Gaza, the Hamas know they have to do something, and within the Arab world that ‘something’ is always the same; start killing. The enemy if possible – if not, just start killing someone, anyone. It is the Islamic Muslim way.
And here in Israel we are beginning to see that sick Islamic philosophy begin to play out. As missiles once again are being fired out of Gaza into our civilian population – with of course no condemnation from the UN, or the rest of the world. It is a war crime and a crime against humanity – Yet no one seems to want to call it that. After all, they are only killing Jews.
Over the past few weeks we have seen an escalation in bombings, stabbings and shootings. Many have been hurt and even killed by rock throwing at our cars on the highways and roads by “Palestinian youth”. It looks like the beginning of the third “Intifada”. Another Arab word that justifies the killing of innocent people that they call “Infidels”.</p
In the meantime Islam is moving at a very rapid pace throughout Europe. Large numbers of French Jewry are now leaving in fear for their lives and because they now no longer see a future in that country for their children.
But the door for them to leave on flights to Israel will close very soon and they will be left trying to find other means to leave and come to Israel. The only route available will be by sea. My worst nightmare is that there will not be enough vessels with the capacity needed to accommodate the large numbers whose lives will depend on the boats being available. I have said this before, and I will say it again. The thought of having to tell a family with kids that there is no more room on the boat, thus leaving them to what will most likely be their death, is a dream I’ve had far too many times.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for all the IDF soldiers, and the Christians in Israel that are there to help as things get worse.
~Anonymous
Virginia Homeschoolers--Alert!
If those of us who do not use religious exemption think we ought to sit quietly until they 'come for us', we are going to be sorry. ~Ann
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Threat to Religious Freedom - Call Now!
January 13, 2014
Dear Todd,
On the very first day of the General Assembly, HEAV's legislative team found legislation that could begin to change homeschooling as we know it in Virginia.
Delegate Tom Rust (R-Fairfax, Loudoun) has proposed House Joint Resolution 92 (HJ92), requesting that the Department of Education study the religious exemption statute.
As much as we don't want to alarm you, we found this resolution to be a serious, potential threat to religious freedom.
HJ92 would open the door to altering the religious exemption statute, 22.1-254 (B)(1), and change the way local school boards recognize a parent's religious convictions.
Please contact Delegate Tom Rust's office immediately and very respectfully ask him to withdraw his unnecessary resolution, which threatens homeschool and religious freedoms in Virginia. Mention any of the points below in your own words. His Richmond office number is 804-698-1086.
Thank you for helping protect homeschooling freedom in Virginia!
Regards,
Yvonne Bunn
HEAV Director of Legislative Affairs
Lame Excuses
I just checked my inbox and was happy to see a new post by Adam, the Unorthodox Epicure. I'm sharing it with you because it is too good to not share. Lame excuses are....lame, plus they damage relationships or just completely ruin them. As always, he includes a tasty recipe at the bottom of the insightful post.
http://unorthodoxepicure.com/2014/01/12/confession-no-119-lame-excuses-are-difficult-to-excuse/#comment-63206
Enjoy!
http://unorthodoxepicure.com/2014/01/12/confession-no-119-lame-excuses-are-difficult-to-excuse/#comment-63206
Enjoy!
Best Chocolate Cream Pie
This chocolate cream pie holds its shape beautifully. The bottom photo was taken 2 days after the pie was made--the crust was still flaky and there is no running. Just follow the original Crisco recipe for the crust and bake it until golden. I don't worry with weights of any sort--just poke the crust well and it is fine enough. My edges aren't gorgeous either. You want a thick pudding so the slices stand firm when served.
Ingredients:
1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
4 egg yolks, beaten (or 3 yolks and 1 whole egg)
1 1/2 cups white sugar (I've done 1 1/4 and it is good)
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 T instant coffee granules or 1 T very strong coffee
|
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups whole milk--go slow with this and cut it off at 2.5 if thickness is ideal by then
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pint fresh whipped cream sweetened with a couple T 10x sugar and 1 tsp vanilla, if desired
|
Directions:
| 1. | In a large mixing bowl, cream together egg yolks and sugar. Mix in cornstarch, cocoa powder, coffee and salt. Add milk and stir gently. Start with just 2.5 cups of milk. |
| 2. | Pour mixture into a large saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until boiling. If too thick, add the rest of the milk. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla extract. Cool slightly, then pour mixture into pastry shell. Chill before serving. Garnish with whipped topping. |
Apostate Watch: Arnold Murray, Shepherd's Chapel 5
I don't know anything about this publication other than what I'm linking to here. It just reinforces much of what I've already posted about false teacher, Arnold Murray.
http://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/shepherdschapelprofile.pdf
http://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/shepherdschapelprofile.pdf
Boys and Respect
As a mom of a son and daughters, I marvel at how different the genders are!
At a young age, ~6 yrs but it gets worse at 8, boys begin to challenge mom, and a man's firm hand is needed, figuratively in my case, but I'm sure many boys need a literal firm hand. I'll be honest, it is frustrating when mom's justify their son's constant questioning as if it is a necessary part of their upcoming rather than what is very often is, a lack of respect and understanding of their position in relation to their mom. It's hard to even have a conversation with a mom who allows her boy/s to disrespect her; they'll just push their way in, sit and listen, not leave when mom tells them too....How many mom's of boys take on each day exasperated because of the verbal battles they are sure to encounter that day? It doesn't need to be this way, and it shouldn't be!
Sons need to be encouraged in leadership and wisdom, and a key way for this to occur is to teach them how to submit to the authority that is over them. Men struggle to come under God's authority, more so than women (look around many churches at how few single men you'll see but there are plenty of women alone), and we mom's play a part in this as we train the next generation. Of course, dads carry a much heavier responsibility in this department for only they can speak to their sons in a way that really makes sense to them, and they are a consistent example to their boys. I'm always amazed at the fast turn around seen in my son when his dad has called him aside after hearing him argue with me.
The start of a new year is a perfect time to do an about-face on parenting. Let this be a year of peace in your home--train your children to obey the first time with a good attitude-it covers a multitude of sins. Biblical appeals are welcome, but they must include information you don't already have and be in a proper tone; otherwise the child does not deserve an audience with you.
Toiling Along With You,
Ann
At a young age, ~6 yrs but it gets worse at 8, boys begin to challenge mom, and a man's firm hand is needed, figuratively in my case, but I'm sure many boys need a literal firm hand. I'll be honest, it is frustrating when mom's justify their son's constant questioning as if it is a necessary part of their upcoming rather than what is very often is, a lack of respect and understanding of their position in relation to their mom. It's hard to even have a conversation with a mom who allows her boy/s to disrespect her; they'll just push their way in, sit and listen, not leave when mom tells them too....How many mom's of boys take on each day exasperated because of the verbal battles they are sure to encounter that day? It doesn't need to be this way, and it shouldn't be!
Sons need to be encouraged in leadership and wisdom, and a key way for this to occur is to teach them how to submit to the authority that is over them. Men struggle to come under God's authority, more so than women (look around many churches at how few single men you'll see but there are plenty of women alone), and we mom's play a part in this as we train the next generation. Of course, dads carry a much heavier responsibility in this department for only they can speak to their sons in a way that really makes sense to them, and they are a consistent example to their boys. I'm always amazed at the fast turn around seen in my son when his dad has called him aside after hearing him argue with me.
The start of a new year is a perfect time to do an about-face on parenting. Let this be a year of peace in your home--train your children to obey the first time with a good attitude-it covers a multitude of sins. Biblical appeals are welcome, but they must include information you don't already have and be in a proper tone; otherwise the child does not deserve an audience with you.
Toiling Along With You,
Ann
Resuming
It's time to start school full-time tomorrow after a long, glorious break celebrating the birth of our Savior and enjoying time with family and friends. Part of the transition back to the 'grind' was getting our house back in order, which took all day Saturday. We decorate extensively for Christmas, so gearing up to pack it all away is a bit of an effort. It is interesting how crisp a house and yard feel when the decorations are put away though. Those extraneous items are so pretty and fun to have around, but only for a while.
We can have extras in our regular lives that are also nice--and also just for a while. Perhaps like me you've stayed up too late for most of the break, have eaten sweets like your metabolism is speedier than it is, have watched a lot of TV compared to usual (dang that Alaska: The Last Frontier!) and have NOT exercised. Or perhaps the extras are more permanent things that are holding you back from serving the Lord on a day-to-day basis.
Entering a new year is a good time to evaluate our lives: how we spend our time, what we spend it on, who we spend it with, and who we're living for. The finite amount of time in a day deserves to be divided up wisely so we can best be used of the Lord.
Like undecorating, looking at our lives doesn't necessarily feel thrilling, but the end result will be similar to a house whose decorations have freshly been put away for another year: a little less cluttered with extra room to do what is most important.
We can have extras in our regular lives that are also nice--and also just for a while. Perhaps like me you've stayed up too late for most of the break, have eaten sweets like your metabolism is speedier than it is, have watched a lot of TV compared to usual (dang that Alaska: The Last Frontier!) and have NOT exercised. Or perhaps the extras are more permanent things that are holding you back from serving the Lord on a day-to-day basis.
Entering a new year is a good time to evaluate our lives: how we spend our time, what we spend it on, who we spend it with, and who we're living for. The finite amount of time in a day deserves to be divided up wisely so we can best be used of the Lord.
Like undecorating, looking at our lives doesn't necessarily feel thrilling, but the end result will be similar to a house whose decorations have freshly been put away for another year: a little less cluttered with extra room to do what is most important.
2013 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.
Here's an excerpt:
Click here to see the complete report.
Here's an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,500 times in 2013. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.
Click here to see the complete report.
Orange Sweet Rolls
Copied from this blog:
http://www.howdoesshe.com/sweet-glazed-orange-roll-recipe/
I'm going to make these tonight and cannot wait! The dough is nearly finished! JOY!
*I ended up making something similar...I needed to make sandwich bread, so just did a double batch using Mark Bittman's sandwich loaf recipe, adding an egg to it (Found in "How to Cook Everything", the yellow cookbook with tons of reliable recipes) and spread softened butter on the rolled out dough. (My dough was made using hard red wheat (6 c.) and 1 c. store bought white flour.) Then I sprinkled it with Sucanat with Honey, some brown sugar and softened orange peel. I just went by the look because I wanted these to be less sweet than the cinnamon rolls I recently made. I did add a touch of cinnamon. For the glaze-- about 1/4 of a block of softened cream cheese, ~ 3 TBSP softened butter, ~1 1/2 c. powdered sugar, a drop of heavy cream and enough real maple syrup to get the consistency to being spreadable. After baking, I turned the rolls over to cool slightly and while warm, spread the glaze so it would melt down over them. Once these are refrigerated, you can put them back in their baking pan if you want. (I turn them over on a tray covered with foil). We all liked these and found them more suited to breakfast than a fully sugared cinnamon roll, though those are great for a special Christmas morning treat!
http://www.howdoesshe.com/sweet-glazed-orange-roll-recipe/
http://www.howdoesshe.com/sweet-glazed-orange-roll-recipe/
I'm going to make these tonight and cannot wait! The dough is nearly finished! JOY!
*I ended up making something similar...I needed to make sandwich bread, so just did a double batch using Mark Bittman's sandwich loaf recipe, adding an egg to it (Found in "How to Cook Everything", the yellow cookbook with tons of reliable recipes) and spread softened butter on the rolled out dough. (My dough was made using hard red wheat (6 c.) and 1 c. store bought white flour.) Then I sprinkled it with Sucanat with Honey, some brown sugar and softened orange peel. I just went by the look because I wanted these to be less sweet than the cinnamon rolls I recently made. I did add a touch of cinnamon. For the glaze-- about 1/4 of a block of softened cream cheese, ~ 3 TBSP softened butter, ~1 1/2 c. powdered sugar, a drop of heavy cream and enough real maple syrup to get the consistency to being spreadable. After baking, I turned the rolls over to cool slightly and while warm, spread the glaze so it would melt down over them. Once these are refrigerated, you can put them back in their baking pan if you want. (I turn them over on a tray covered with foil). We all liked these and found them more suited to breakfast than a fully sugared cinnamon roll, though those are great for a special Christmas morning treat!
Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls
Ingredients
- Rolls:
- ingredients you will need:
- 1 1/2 cups of milk
- 3/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon Sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons yeast
- 2 cups of warm water
- about 9-10 cups of all purpose flour
- at least 1 cup of butter
- Filling:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 6 Tablespoons melted butter
- grated rind from one orange
- Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- juice of one orange
- Water, to thin
Instructions
- On a floured counter roll the dough into one large rectangle about 1/4-1/2 inch thick.
- Bring the filling ingredients to a boil and remove from the heat.
- Pour the orange filling onto the dough.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the dough
- Roll the long edge of the dough, be careful not to pull the dough as you roll it. Gently lift and roll the dough.
- Use a piece of thread or floss to cut the rolls. Slide the string flat under the dough to 1 1/2 inches (or desired thickness) from the end of the roll, cross the string over the dough and pull. VOILA! Repeat this step until all the rolls are cut.
- You have two options for baking these rolls.
- 1. Place each roll in a regular sized muffin tin
- 2. Place the rolls on a cookie sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart. You will generally place 12 rolls on a sheet.
- Let the rolls raise until they are touching (if using a cookie sheet) or until they have risen well above the muffin tins.
- Bake the rolls at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until they are golden brown.
- Allow the rolls to cool slightly while making the glaze.
- Mix glaze ingredients and pour over rolls
- Enjoy!
http://www.howdoesshe.com/sweet-glazed-orange-roll-recipe/
Genesis for 2014
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1
We, true Christians, are all missionaries for the gospel message. God's word speaks for itself and the evidence backs it up, unless a person simply refuses to acknowledge God because of their worldview. Then the evidence must include vast faith in millions of years and processes that can not be seen, replicated, or substantiated with sound science. We cannot pretend that our beliefs about Genesis do not impact the whole of our lives and society. If we're created in God's image, that means we are created with purpose and a reason to serve Him. It means human life has more value than anything else on earth. If God created the world and all that is in it, it means He loves His creation because there is such beauty and care for us shown in the environment. It means we ought to worship the Creator and not the creation, but we are to care for the things God made thoughtfully. If the unborn are knit together in the womb as the Bible says, how can any one justify snuffing that life out? In America we re-create the same number Holocaust deaths every 2 years because of abortion. God sees those children and knows the hairs on their heads, they are made in His image. We need to tell people the truth as God's ambassadors and leave the results to Him.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27
We, true Christians, are all missionaries for the gospel message. God's word speaks for itself and the evidence backs it up, unless a person simply refuses to acknowledge God because of their worldview. Then the evidence must include vast faith in millions of years and processes that can not be seen, replicated, or substantiated with sound science. We cannot pretend that our beliefs about Genesis do not impact the whole of our lives and society. If we're created in God's image, that means we are created with purpose and a reason to serve Him. It means human life has more value than anything else on earth. If God created the world and all that is in it, it means He loves His creation because there is such beauty and care for us shown in the environment. It means we ought to worship the Creator and not the creation, but we are to care for the things God made thoughtfully. If the unborn are knit together in the womb as the Bible says, how can any one justify snuffing that life out? In America we re-create the same number Holocaust deaths every 2 years because of abortion. God sees those children and knows the hairs on their heads, they are made in His image. We need to tell people the truth as God's ambassadors and leave the results to Him.
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