We talked about the HSLDA and their core mission of legal defense for homeschool families. Organization is 40-years old. Nearly everyone who works for them homeschool or is a homeschool graduate.

HSLDA is a membership organization & what it costs. Here is where podcast listeners can apply for curriculum grants: https://hslda.org/explore/applying-for-a-curriculum-grant

And, Lorraine talks about what the requirements are to apply for the grants. Families receiving funds from the state via an ESA, families are not eligible to apply.

We talked about references needed to apply they can validate the general circumstances of the family apply and that they will use the money towards homeschooling.

All the processes are explained on the HSLDA website via short videos. Or, you can email the Compassion grants team to ask questions.

Base amounts in the grants are $300-$400 per homeschool student for core curriculum. HSLDA does not dictate what curriculum you can purchase with thee money. Special needs students and their needs are eligible.

Lorriane & Dianne stressed that you use Google Chrome to apply. That works best for applying for the Compassion Curriculum Grant.

Earliest opportunity to apply is by JUNE 30th! However, if you miss out, we discuss the two other times of the year to apply.

If one’s application is submitted by June 30th of this year, applicants learn if they’ll receive a grant in about 6-weeks, or mid-to-late August.

Applicants can call HSLDA Compassion with questions not found on the website at: 540-338-8688.

Recap of what it costs to join the HSLDA and financial aid available

How does one donate to the HSLDA to fund the compassion grants.

Over ¼ of the grants distributed the recipients found out about the HSLDA curriculum grants via word of mouth. And, applicants can apply more than once from year-to-year.

HSLDA Compassion Grants Program distributes anywhere between 700-800 grants per year.

HSLDA can also assist families struggling through natural disasters with grant money, and those families do not need to be HSLDA members.

Why she became a homeschool mom… When her military chaplain husband got transferred to California, she gave up her therapy license in Maryland and decided then to homeschool mom.

Not anti-public school but favors homeschooling.

She is now a public speaker and author. She talks about how God opened doors for you, but no need to walk through them at one time.

Please put in an amazon link to her book: 101 Tips for Homeschooling.

Her workshop is bloom, uproot, and replant geared towards military families who are reassigned every two years. She teaches parents how to adjust to a new environment and maintain homeschooling., what laws apply in what states and in what country.

Wherever you homeschool state laws apply.

We then shifted to talking about how she helps homeschool students adjust to being away from home for the first time. Parents must realize that their children will leave one day & it’s important to prepare them to live away from home. Raising them to launch somewhere, but it doesn’t necessarily be college. It could be a career, military service, etc. So, it’s important to play to their passions and gear their education to support their passions.

We then discussed the importance of getting children in outside interests such as clubs and groups. (She recommends some groups a few minutes later) It helps them flesh out their academic resumes for college as well. They need to learn to make decisions independently.

She found in homeschool families, the older siblings help raise the younger siblings and help them learn to listen to and trust MOM.

Participation in outside groups helps children think independently, make decisions, some good & some bad, and how to learn from their independence. That’s where parents need to step back and not be involved.

Natalie then discusses how she would incorporate their various domestic and foreign locations into learning, or the national election in teaching civics and citizen responsibilities. She suggested taking your children with you when you go vote.

Then we discussed MHA, Military Homeschool Association, a nonprofit to assist military parents. They’ll learn their rights as military homeschool parents. (This would be a good group to add to our Education Resource Page).

She then plugged her podcast, consulting, public speaking, and her website www.natalie-mack.com.

Natalie then discusses how God is using her and how she listens for His direction.

We close talking about her consultation business. First consultation is free.

She can help homeschool student athletes learn what they need to know to meet NCAA requirements for athletic scholarships.

Finally, how to pace oneself for all that God gave her to do.

11- years ago he started Family Renewal along with his wife. And, he speaks at 30- to-50 events per year.

How he followed in his mother’s business & how he and his sister proofread his mother’s magazine.

How difficult it was initially to reach teenagers. Dr. George Barna’s research said that a child’s worldview is locked in by age 12. So, that is why it is important for parents to reach children or disciple them as early as possible.

Parents thought the church would disciple their children and so they underestimate the cultural influences upon their kids.

Parents on average only spend about 90 minutes per day with their children, so much of that time are not discipling. Parents need to be more intentional.

Israel Wayne believes 150% that children need to see their parents worship, and we should not be segregating them when it comes to the church service.

George Barna, the Christian researcher, also agrees that only 12% of children get anything worthwhile by church youth groups. 88% do not benefit from church youth groups segregated from the church services.

A lot of kids grow up in church without attending any of the main services. Kids grow up without knowing the body or the community of the church they attend.

Israel & his wife always have kept their children with them throughout the service.

Too many churches have replaced relationships with programs. Proverbs 22:15, says children have foolishness in their hearts rather than the fear of the Lord. They need more time spent with older, wiser instructors & mentors who have the fear of the Lord in them.

Churches under utilize their seniors even though they are often the wisest.

We have too many ill-equipped young people teaching other young children

Conversation shifts to what is a “Biblical Marriage.” His mother was not a Christian, early on and he is the product of a broken family starting when he was 6-years old. During his young adult life, he was without a father figure.

His mother did not become a Christiaan until Israel was 12 years old.

How he was able to avoid the pitfalls of a broken home? Israel learned at an early age. He learned holding onto bitterness would make him bitter.

How he values gratitude and living in gratitude every day.

As a teen, he was very distrusting of mentors. The Word of God was his initial go-to and sustained him until he found adult mentors.

Grace & Truth in Christian parenting today. What that means and it’s often permissive parenting. It’s biblical for children to obey their parents. Too many parents obey their children instead of the other way around. Parents want to threat their children as equals. And, children are not equipped to make adult decisions.

Too many parents listen to pop psychology voices instead of Christian teachers & voices. Too many evangelical churches are too worldly. Parents need rules for children, but it’s okay to be conservative. But our “house” rules are not the same or on the same level as God’s commands. House rules do not equate to holiness.

Israel tells the story of his raising own kids. As he matured as a parent, he always wanted to get to the heart of his child’s bad behavior. Pride & self-love are often what’s in the heart in those failed moments. Parents need to learn how to point their children to Jesus in all things.

Conversation shifts to Christian Education….how his late mother would look at what has become of homeschooling today. Homeschooling is about restoring the family.

New homeschooling parents are not religious, but they see the value of keeping their children close to home. He discusses the reasons parents are pulling their children out of public schools and now Christian private schools.

What should the goals of Christian parents be when homeschooling their children.

All the things that are out there for parents, but the lack of clarity of definition of what comprises a homeschool can be problematic.

But, more state & educational regulations are not the answer because in public schools the standards and results are lower.

We talked about public school teacher/turned homeschool advocate John Taylor Gatto and how his mother was instrumental in getting him published.

Wayne talks about books he’s written that are aimed directly at homeschool parents.

Website: familyrenewal.org. Ordering from his website, he’ll sign the books you purchase directly from him.

Last comment about his homeschool pioneering mother.

How to book him as a speaker. Separate website: Israelwayne.com

His Chrisitan apologetics website is Christianworldview.net.