Trying Over and Over Again
Many parents across the nation—and maybe even the world—are wondering what the best way is to educate their children this fall. That reality has been at the forefront of my mind and heart for the last several weeks. I know how they feel because Ray and I were in that same situation ourselves 32 years ago, as we wondered, “Should we homeschool?”
I am very excited about a new project we’ve been working on. It’s a free resource with one purpose—to help those parents make a well-informed and faithful decision. We want to encourage parents who are not yet homeschooling to make that scary but life-changing step and to help current homeschooling parents who are wondering if they can keep on keeping on. We plan to announce this project very soon. Please pray for us as we put on the finishing touches. Meanwhile, I wanted to give you a heads-up that this is in the works. When we announce it, I want to ask you to help us spread the word about it. Please help us to encourage others to give their children the gift of homeschooling.
Yesterday Ray and I spent the day with Titus, our videographer and audio recorder. He recorded Ray’s next podcast. He also recorded me doing a video to introduce the new project and also a short audio book. Recording the podcast and audio book went smoothly. Ray did his podcast in his office, but Titus and I recorded the book in our brand new PVC pipe and acoustical blanket mini-recording studio inside our old warehouse. We tried it out today for the first time.
Titus was outside the booth . . .
. . . and I was on the inside.
The video was more of a challenge. We filmed outside with birds singing, with the wind blowing my hair and leaves in front of my face, and with cars and electric company bucket trucks rolling past.
Ray recently told me that technicians who film Queen Elizabeth’s video Christmas messages gave her the nickname, One Take Windsor. Trust me, Titus does not call me Get-It-Right-the-First-Time Charlene. Still, he is patient and served as a great and encouraging director/videographer as he filmed me over and over and over again. He and I lived out the saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
Trying over and over again is one definition of learning. Children do this all the time. Homeschooling is a great place to give children the opportunity to try over and over again rather than having to jump on ahead simply because a schedule demands it. It is also a great place to learn that trying over and over again is okay.
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence,
in your faith supply moral excellence,
and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control,
perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,
and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
2 Peter 1:5-7