I sometimes find myself lost and confused--and inexplicably unable to communicate effectively; almost as if everything I said was a garbled mess of incoherent mutterings.

It's rather frustrating.

Clear communication is essential to interact with and help people. And for as much effort we put into making sonlight.com helpful and easy to use... sometimes we fail to do so.

It's rather frustrating ...both for us and you.

So if you've spent any time poking around Sonlight's site the past year, I would love any feedback you have as to what you loved and what confused you like a garbled mess of incoherent mutterings. If you got lost or frustrated at any time, I want to know what you think would make that page less confusing.

The new web design goes live April 1--in conjunction with the release of our new catalog--so you have until then to get me as many ideas as you can. (And, really, if you ever have any ideas on how we can make Sonlight better, we want to know!)

Please, make a comment here or send me an email (link on the right there) and give me:

1. The URL of the page that tripped you up
   (e.g. /RM32.html)
2. What gave you trouble
   (e.g. "I couldn't use the green nav bar to get anywhere!")
3. And if possible: How you would like to see it fixed
   (e.g. "Let me click on the grade bar to go to another grade.")

I think the new site design is going to rock--and I can't wait to show you some of the stuff I'm doing--but with your help, I can make it even better!

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

P.S. I know, I know; I'm putting you to work. I don't want to be a burden, but your ideas are invaluable to me!

Is it possible that the summer is nearly over and it's time to begin school again? I'm fairly certain we just filed the end-of-year report with the school district, closed the books and filed them away! But the calendar does not lie and here it is mid-August again.

This year will be different for us. Our oldest has graduated from our homeschool and heads to her first year of college the end of this week. That will leave me with *only* two to school ... one sophmore and a junior higher. Our daughter's graduation has made me think back to when we began homeschooling some 14 years ago now and to mentally review how far we've come. There have "mountain top" years and years when I wondered if my children learned a single thing. Looking back I can see that both were valuable ... the mountain top experiences for boosting our self-confidence and building our love for learning ... and those lean years for causing us to depend on the Lord and realizing we really couldn't do this education thing in our own strength.

I'm looking forward to what this year holds ... and sharing some of it here! We'll be focusing on Civics, Gov't & American History from Sonlight for the sophmore. Along with Consumer Math, Chemistry and a writing program. The Junior Higher will be doing an indepth study of American History from Sonlight, Algebra 1 and Physical Science. It will be my second and third time through some of these subjects, but I find something new to learn each year as they share what they are learning.

~Judy

I've never participated in a cakewalk. Something that easy just didn't appeal to me--and now, with my wheat sensitivity, a cake wouldn't do me much good anyway. Instead, at the carnival I would make my way to the maze.

In fact, I'm rarely one to take the easy path. I'd rather do something exciting, challenging, and, hopefully, meaningful... even if it isn't a cakewalk.

Homeschooling is rarely easy--so I'm told... as a kid it was great!--there are challenges and confusing parts. Sometimes it feels like you're in a maze. But in the end, it is incredibly rewarding both for you--so I'm told--and your students.

If you feel lost in the middle of the homeschooling maze, don't fret. There are many blogs that offer encouragement and tips, and I try to link you to many of them in the Other Posts of Note. The Sonlight Forums are another great place to find support and encouragement. Also, don't forget about the Sonlight Homeschool Advisors--these are homeschooling moms who have "been there, done that," and can help you find exactly what you need for your homeschooling journey.

And I'm always here to help in any way I can.

So here's to the exciting journey that is homeschooling. The reward is great, but it's not likely to come in the form of a cake.

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

...don't you think I agree? I agree!

Today I read a post about how we cannot agree to disagree because of 1 Corinthians 1:10. And I thought that was fascinating, especially since there is rather a lot of division within the "Body of Christ" as it is... Sonlight in the middle of it all from time to time.

But how can I say, "I disagree that we must all agree"? <smile>

To say that we must all agree, I would imply that everyone must agree... with me; that I have, somehow, arrived at the singular, all-inclusive Truth. But I don't like that because

1. It shuts down all discussion, argument, or further study. Any research or contemplation that does not match my conclusion is antagonistic against me and, at best, merely ungodly.
2. It makes it impossible to graciously concede a point. If I'm right and someone demonstrates that I am wrong, then they are inexplicably wrong and I must stick my head in the sand and refuse to acknowledge their point.
3. It elevates me--or, at minimum, my beliefs--to the highest position of "unquestionable truth" ... which can quickly lead to tyranny and reeks of pride (of which I have all too much personal experience <smile>).

Thus, I see nothing wrong with passionately arguing your position.

I think it is healthy to question and allow others to question you.

I think it is good to look at the other side of things.

And while, yes, it is not good to have division, I think the call is to not be divided over matters of disagreement. As the passage goes on to say: Following Christ is what is important, not whose teachings you gravitate toward. Those should not divide us.

So, I think that we can be united and of the same mind, even if we disagree on the age of the earth, the best way to interact with others, the best color for carpeting, or whether drums or skirts above the knee are acceptable.

One of my friends who grew up a Muslim once told me that it was hard for him at first to be in church where everyone prayed to God while standing up. 'How disrespectful,' he thought. 'We must pray in humility, with our faces to the ground.'

Talking with him demonstrated just how much we can learn from one another--those with whom we disagree--and is a great picture of what my wife has said: I think the true Church is a conglomeration of all the different denominations that each reflect a different aspect of God.

This is not to say there isn't absolute truth. There is. But, for now, I think it is important that we all grow in humility and remain free to disagree so we can all, hopefully, get ever closer to that Truth.

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

Anyone remember the Ska fad?

If so, did you ever listen to the Five Iron Frenzy "Quantity is Job 1" album? It was amusing to me because, despite the title, there were only about six songs listed on the back cover. Inside, something like nine tracks were listed. But the album actually has 17 tracks.

Goofy humor. Good stuff.

But not all goofy things make for good stuff.

Jerri-Ann just started a series on recess. I'm interested in where she's taking it--and getting her perspective--but if her source is right and tag is being outlawed during recess, we've really hit a recession there too ...a slowly waning opportunity of physical activity and exercise.

It seems that we're moving more and more toward a "legislation must care for me" type mindset. Gone are the days of personal responsibility and learning to act appropriately. "Socialization" no longer means "to learn how to act appropriately in society," but rather "to conform to society's dictates." These are the days of confining rules that bind us to a system.

And I know there are some good reasons for it. For example, I don't really let the 4th and 5h graders I teach for Sunday School go play outside. There have been too many fights that have started and, even if they are minor scuffles, I can't have that happening when I also have to watch 20 other kids. So I have sympathy for the system.

...on the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if the system itself is largely to blame. As a teacher, I don't have any course of action to take when a child acts up. Not that we should go back to the days of smacking children with rulers... but my hands are completely tied when it comes to punishing bad behavior--especially things like violent outbursts against other students.

Thus, my observations are as follows:

1. Children need to be allowed to "get their wiggles out"
   ...for boys, especially, this means some moderately dangerous options
2. Bad behavior must be dealt with
   ...especially when it is against other children
3. Homeschooling provides the best opportunities for both of these conditions to be met

Homeschooling allows children to develop holistically and wholesomely, even when safety is job 1. What's more, real socialization can truly take place.

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father