That’s the facetious title of the workshop that I am scheduled to give at 10:00 this morning for the Heart of the Matter online homeschool conference. I’ve been preparing for the workshop now for several weeks with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. I really love talking with and encouraging homeschooling families, but there’s always the gnawing fear that maybe I’ll say something dumb…or the presentation will be too random and lacking in substance…or someone won’t like my style of speaking…ad infinitum. Hmm. Kind of how I feel about my book, too. And the truth of the matter is that I have said dumb things…I have been random before…I have had people dislike my presentation style. But we cannot allow ourselves to be crippled by fear and insecurity.

In the familiar Psalm 23, we read that “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” In the ESV Study Bible notes for this verse, “want” is described as “to lack what one needs.” What a simple, but precious promise! If I need security, my Shepherd holds me in His arms; if I need guidance, my Shepherd leads me in paths of righteousness; if I need courage, my Shepherd makes His presence known; if I need refreshment, my Shepherd restores my soul; if I need hope, my Shepherd reminds me that I will dwell in His house for all eternity. What blessed contentedness may be found if we truly take this passage to heart!

If you’d like to download a copy of the handout for the workshop, just click here or on the image below.

Even though I’ve done lots of workshops over the years, they have primarily been in character education and music education settings, so this will be a new experience. However, the Lord has laid it on my heart to encourage homeschool families and I am trusting that He will help me know the best approach to take and what to share. The workshop I am putting together for the Heart of the Matter Conference was prompted in large part by the survey that I conducted at the CHEC conference last year and the subsequent conversations that I had with numerous homeschooling parents. Here’s the title and synopsis for my workshop:

Everything Your Child Needs to Know and How to Teach it to Them
In this encouraging and sometimes humorous workshop, homeschool graduate Natalie Wickham reflects on the four aspects of her homeschool education that she appreciates the most. Drawing on her own experiences, observation of and conversations with other homeschool families, insightful survey responses, and biblical principles, Natalie’s heart is to inspire the next generation of homeschoolers. The number one question in the minds of many homeschool parents is whether they are teaching their child everything they need to know. Natalie highlights an important distinction that must be made when asking this question, and provides practical suggestions that will benefit every homeschool family.

I’ll be fine-tuning this over the next several weeks, so if you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know!