Welcome to Daily Encouragement!
Hi, I’m Charlene Notgrass. I was born a long time before you, way back in 1953. I loved homeschooling — once I learned how to make homeschooling who our family was instead of something I carried around like a big, heavy burden every day. From the lessons God has taught me, I offer you daily encouragement.
First, Last; High, Low; Smart, Slow
I was in elementary school the first time I remember getting angry at a teacher. From third grade through sixth grade, the students in each grade were divided by academic ability. Each grade had a top class, a middle class,…
“I Won’t Ever Forget This Day”
“I won’t ever forget this day.” That’s what Lisa’s brother told their mother after Austin’s homeschool graduation on Saturday. After Lisa shared this sweet quote with me yesterday, Ray and I talked about how he probably had never experienced anything…
A Room Full of Stories
I have told you several stories about our friends whom I have been calling Jeffrey, Lisa, Austin, Kevin, and Rachel. Rachel is my little friend who made the Un-happy Meal. On Saturday we got to see the real items, plus a…
Just the Right Time, Just the Right Place, Just the Right Child
A mother called Notgrass Company one day to talk about whether a certain curriculum would work with her daughter. As we chatted, I learned that her daughter enjoys cooking and is artistic, but her academic accomplishments are a few years…
Home Sweet Home
When George W. Vanderbilt built the Biltmore home in the late 1800s, he decided to follow the model of English manors and build a village nearby to house the staff of this largest home in America. Vanderbilt hired architect Richard Morris…
A Gentle Spirit
When I was in third grade, a new girl moved to town. We became school friends, church friends, and just plain good friends. I made a photo album of my youth a while back. This is Kathy’s page. As little…