Stories for the Homeschool Heart [Paperback]

Patti Maguire Armstrong (Author), Theresa A. Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2010

“Stories for the Homeschool Heart” will wrap you warmly in a blanket of faith, love and inspiration. Through these stories of trials and triumphs, you will be lifted closer to heaven and feel a unity with families from across the country who have taken seriously the awesome privilege of teaching their children. At times you will be amazed, moved to tears and laugh, but most of all you will come away recommitted to following God’s call to you as a parent to lead your children to Him. In this book you will: - Read how ‘Rachel’ experienced healing and hope after abuse and an abortion… - Share the joy of a military family who brought home two precious sons from Russia… - Read how Mary’s family struggled to discern God’s will and went happily from riches to rags… - Travel with a couple who struggles with birth control and being open to life… - Laugh when you see how a wayward duckling led the way for Patti and her family… - See how Luke chased butterflies all the way to Guatemala and what the ramifications were… - Discover how a little hamster helped save his young owner… - Learn how God led Theresa through the experience of cancer, with renewed hope and a new baby… Contributors include: Elizabeth Foss, Dr. Ray Guarendi, Mary Kochan of Catholic Exchange , Nancy Carpentier Brown, podcaster for the American Chesteron Society, Rachel Watkins creator of the Little Flower’s Girls Club and many, many more. Stories for the Homeschool Heart is the perfect gift for parents teaching their children to live for God and reach for eternity. It is an instant pick-me-up wherever they may be on the journey that we all walk together. Patti Armstrong and Theresa Thomas have put together an uplifting gem for homeschoolers or any dad or mom who wants to parent with wisdom and wit. Whether you are discerning becoming a homeschooling family or have already "been there and done that,"Stories for the Homeschool Heart” will inspire about the wonderful world of homeschooling. Through the real-life struggles, joys, and the life-changing lessons in the book, you will come away renewed in your commitment as your children's primary teacher, even if you don't teach full time in the home. - Matthew Pinto, Author, Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons?; “Stories for the Homeschool Heart” is a beautiful sharing of life experiences and lessons learned. Through personal stories, it provides encouragement to all parents as we make the journey together, helping each other to lead our children to God. Through humor, love, trials and triumph, this book will touch your heart and lift you up. - Jeff Cavins, Author of The Great Adventure Bible Study and Emily Cavins, Author of the Great Adventure Bible Study for Kids

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Bezalel Books (July 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984486410
• ISBN-13: 978-0984486410
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #852,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Theresa Thomas was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Polish American parents who met young and loved life, God and eachother. At a fair her father gave her mother an ID bracelet with the inscription, "14 or Bust". He meant kids, of course. The pair ended up with exactly that many children, including one adopted and one lost to miscarriage. When Theresa later married and was pregnant with her seventh child, her dad turned to her and said, mischievously, "You now have half a family."

Theresa's first published newspaper article chronicled her trip to Chicago when Pope John Paul II visited in 1979 while she was still in high school. She has written for both Catholic and secular newspapers and periodicals. Currently, she is a contributing writer to Integrated Catholic Life and Catholic Lane e-magazines, a family columnist at Today's Catholic News, and co-author of "Stories for the Homeschool Heart" (Bezalel Books, 2010), which was named the Top Catholic Book of 2010 by About.com.

Theresa and her husband David have been home-educating their nine children since the mid-1990s, and reside in the Midwest with their youngest children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift to the Catholic Homeschool Community, September 9, 2010

By 

Patrice Fagnant-macarthur (Springfield, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stories for the Homeschool Heart (Paperback)

As the title suggests, "Stories for the Homeschool Heart: Heavenly Stories of Inspiration, Hope and Joy" is a compilation of stories by homeschoolers and friends of homeschoolers intended to bring support and encouragement to others traveling the homeschooling journey. Patti Maguire Armstrong and Theresa A. Thomas have done a commendable job putting together this treasure-trove of stories. Some of the featured writers include Armstrong and Thomas themselves as well as pro-life blogger and speaker Leticia Velasquez, Catholic Exchange editor Mary Kochan, author Nancy Carpentier Brown, creator of the Little Flower's Girls Club Rachel Watkins, and author Elizabeth Foss. Divided by topic, the stories discuss things such as being called to homeschool (for most of us it comes as a surprise. God really had to hit me over the head with a 2 x 4 to get me to do it), lessons learned, faith, prayers answered, and the fact that learning never ends.

The section that spoke to me most was "It's Not Always Easy." I think sometimes homeschoolers try so hard to put a positive spin on homeschooling (and there are many positive things) that we hesitate to acknowledge all the hard days that can come along with the territory. It can be comforting to know that others struggle and yet manage to keep going. In particular, the section "A Word from your Father" featuring encouraging Bible verses is so helpful it should be taped onto every homeschoolers wall or refrigerator for a pick-me-up on tough days.

The writers of these stories are all incredibly faith-filled people whose life journeys have led them to homeschooling, some for a season, some for many years. The only caveat I would offer to readers of this book is that the vast majority of stories are from people with large families. As a Catholic homeschooling mother of two, I feel it is important to acknowledge that Catholic homeschooling families can come in all shapes and sizes. Overall, however, "Stories for the Homeschool Heart" is a great gift to the Catholic homeschooling community and I thank Armstrong and Thomas for bringing it to fruition.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for anyone homeschooling or thinking about it!!!!, September 7, 2010

By 

Mark (Bismarck, North Dakota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stories for the Homeschool Heart (Paperback)

This is the perfect book for anyone homeschooling now, or thinking about it. Or if they know someone who is doing either. Short, witty, inspirational and motivational pieces from the heart, these stories are uplifting and fun to read. The authors have captured the full range of why people homeschool and the sacrifices that people make to educate their own children. Up until the 19th century, people all over the world homeschooled their children, and with good reason, it promoted the values of faith and family. This book will inspire those thinking about homeschooling and give insight to those who "wonder" why people do it. Read it and give it as a gift to anyone who homsechools.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Inspirational and Joyful, September 26, 2010

By 

cathmom&teacher (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stories for the Homeschool Heart (Paperback)

This book is excellent. I'm not much of a sentimentalist and usually avoid books that contain personal stories, but it's been a long time since I've read a good homeschool book so I went ahead and gave this one a try. I'm glad that I did because I've loved reading these stories. They've warmed my heart on days when I was grumpy, made me laugh when I needed a smile and so many of them offered just the spark that I needed to think differently about my own situation. One story even had me crying while waiting at doctor's office! These stories are heartfelt and inspirational, giving just the right encouragement to see the silver lining in everyday experiences. Definitely a great gift any mother would treasure.