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.
Around the World with Brother Ray Kinslow
Africa, Antarctica, Papua New Guinea–these were the places where we “traveled” on Wednesday afternoons, courtesy of an elderly gentleman in our congregation. When Ray preached in Cookeville, Tennessee, we became quick friends with one of our elders, Ray Kinslow, a…
Joy and Wonder and Bubbles
Our friend Linda is especially kind. I’ve learned a great deal from her. First Ray and I and then Linda and John got married just months apart. Both couples had our first child around the same time and then we…
It’s what they hear all the time that sticks!
Charlie the Cockatiel came to live at our house when we gave him to Mary Evelyn for her 11th birthday. She was determined to teach him to talk. Day after day she put her finger in his cage and said,…
A Special Lesson for Families
My blog post today is one close to my heart. It is also unusual because in it I share a Bible study lesson you might like to share with your children. While preparing to teach a children’s Bible class recently,…
Thank You, God, for Making Me a Homeschool Mama
In 1989-90, a close friend began to think deeply about the implications of what was happening in the public schools in our local school district. She began to share her thoughts with me. She shared resources from Christian radio and…
I was once a weepy, insecure, what-have-I-gotten-myself-into homeschooling mama.
I was once a weepy, insecure, what-have-I-gotten-myself-into homeschooling mama. It took me four years to make the switch from homeschooling feeling like a heavy burden to homeschooling feeling like a joy. If you are still in the burden stage, I…