Tyler Frost vs The Rules

I heard an interesting story on a talk show this morning. A young man who is a senior at a fundamental Baptist school in Toldeo, Ohio, is causing a stir. This school has some pretty strict rules, and at the start of each year, students must sign a contract agreeing to keep those rules.

Among those rules, is no listening to rock music, dancing, hand-holding, or kissing.

This young man, Tyler Frost, has a girlfriend who attends a public school, and wanted him to go to prom with her. He was given a permission slip to have his principal sign. The principal signed it, but pointed out the boy was going to be breaking school rules if he went, and said there would be consequences, and was told what they would be. The big one that is making news stories, is that Tyler will be allowed to graduate - he will be given his diploma, but he will not be allowed to be part of the graduation ceremony. He went to the prom, and now there is talk of the school being sued for their stance. http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/state&id=6802905

Are the rules too strict? Maybe, considering they apply when the student is not in school, but the strictness of the rules is not in question, though many people calling in and emailing the talk show kept saying they are too strict. There is even a facebook support page for Tyler. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=a5c9012022bda2cc91ab0c61364669de&gid=85327102756&ref=search

The issue here is not whether the rules are too strict. The issue is that he signed a contract, knowing what the rules are, and agreeing to them, and now wants to break them without consequence. The parents are doing him harm by going after the school. They are teaching him that there are loopholes to rules, and that the rules don't always apply to him. That if he doesn't like the rules, then he shouldn't have to abide by them, or suffer consequences when he breaks them.

Life is full of rules, and many times we don't like them. When I worked at Hobby Lobby, their return policy had some rules. One that often didn't go over well, was the customer had to show their driver's license and give their phone number to return merchandise. Some customers would hassle the cashier, call for a manager, and throw a fit. All because they didn't like the rule, and thought it shouldn't apply to them.

Our job often has rules that we don't like, and may think is ridiculous, but if we want to work there, we have to keep them. Our churches have rules, and if we sign that membership paper, we promise to keep them, even if we don't like it.

Even the Bible has rules we may not like. That loving our enemies thing? That isn't easy, and a lot of people wish it wasn't in there, but if we want to serve God and do His will, we have to keep ALL the rules, not just the ones we like.

This case with Tyler Frost may seem like a small thing, but that is how society is today. Everyone wants to have their fun, without consequence. That is what abortion is all about, basically. People want to have sex with whoever they want, whenever they want, but they don't want to deal with the consequence of an unwanted pregnancy - don't want that? Then keep the rules.

As far as anyone can tell, Tyler Frost wasn't going to the school against his will. He has gone there for four years, knows the rules, and agreed to keep them. Should there be consequences for breaking those rules? You bet. That is life, and we can never get away from rules.

Answered Prayer, Passover, & Babysitting

Paul & Pam, my pastor brother-in-law & sister, came out from Pennsylvania this week for a Minister's convention in Canton, so we had to watch my 3 nephews for a couple of days. I didn't see much of Paul & Pam - they came on Wednesday, ate, and were gone. They came back late Thursday, and had to leave the next day for a funeral.

The boys were all really good here. I had to "Nathan-proof" my stuff - hide my Ipod, candy, fingernail clippers - anything that I didn't want him to wander off with. Typical two-year-old gets into everything you don't want him to get into. I played ball with them outside Thursday night with a whiffle ball and bat. Benjy, who is almost 5, line drived me twice - he found it pretty funny the first time, so kept trying to do it again. They also blew bubbles, though I did Nathan's - he was more interested in chasing the bubbles. :-)

It was funny Friday morning, Josiah (7) got up on my bed, tapped me, and asked if I was awake - I had been til that point - he pointed out that it was 8:13 (am) and said he wanted to see if I was awake. I assured him that I was, and he asked if he could play the computer. Last time they were here, he was told not to play the computer if I was still sleeping so it wouldn't wake me up. Hence, waking me this time to make sure I was awake.....

I recently had an answer to prayer. I really don't want to say what it was, though it involved money, and I was amazed at how God worked it out, beyond my expectations. And it came from some people whom I do not really personally know, or ever met. They knew of the need, and felt God wanted them to help out, something I am extremely thankful for.

Our Christian school had a Passover Seder last evening. It was in the gym at the college, and was very interesting. Lasted about an hour. They had assigned seating around several tables that were in 3 rows. It was not a meal, but we did have to eat stuff throughout it. There were 3 projectors & screens set up with a laptop computer. It would show the Scriptures that the principal was reading, and the ones we would read along. At certain times, we would drink a cup of grape juice - there was a cup of Sanctification, Redemption, Communion, and Praise.

There was matzoh bread, which was kinda nasty - like a cracker that needs help. We ate it at one point, parsley dipped in salt water - which was incredibly nasty - to signify the time in Egypt - bitter herbs. Another time you were supposed to dip the matzoh bread in horseradish sauce - I symbolically did that - there was no way I was going to eat horseradish anything! There was also some good stuff that had apples and other stuff in it that we dipped the bread in - that was good. We also had to wash our hands, so they passed bowls of water around with towel - I also symbolically did that - didn't want to stick my hands in water and on a towel that 20 other people had done it with. :-)

Each class had a part in it also. Allie & Katie's class sang a song about the 10 plagues of Egypt, and some of the kids acted out a plague. That was pretty cool. Some of the other classes read Scriptures or something to go with the service. One of the teachers and her husband sang the Twila Paris song "How Beautiful" when we did the communion part, and another teacher played his guitar and sang the Ray Boltz song "Watch The Lamb".

It really was an interesting experience, and I could tell a lot of work and thought went into it. I will admit I was pretty tired and wishing I had not signed up to go, but it was worth it. Plus, there was some kind of chocolate snack at the table that we were allowed to eat beforehand - not sure what the significance of it was, but it was good enough that I ate the piece from a nearby setting where no one sat. :-)

Science Fair

This evening was the Science Fair at our academy. I think it is neat that they do it, and it gives the kids a chance to experiment in different areas.

My oldest niece did one on baking soda, Allie did cereal, and Katie did milk. Katie & Allie's class had food to sample - each display was a breakfast food, and each one had samples of that food - bacon, sausage, pancakes & syrup, etc.

Katie did milk, and had small cups of milk for people to drink. Allie did cereal, and had that sweet snack food made from chex cereal - garbage or dog food

Stephanie, and her baking soda display.

The pancakes & syrup display.

And the orange juice display.

There were other cool displays also. The first graders did different animals and talked about them, one high school class had different experiments they did such as freezing water, one girl did an experiment with a mouse and what was best to trap one with. I guess there was a real mouse in the display at one point. Not sure where it was when I was looking at the display. :-)

All in all, it was an interesting evening. I don't think my nieces walked away with a prize, but it was nice for the kids to be involved in something like that anyway.

Christian School Advantages

When I decided to use my right to free speech to blog about my concerns & issues with homeschooling, I expected I might get a few comments disagreeing with me. What I didn't expect was the vicious tone and wording of some of those comments. A friend of mine who is not a home school enthusiast was reading my blog and emailed me "man, those home school moms are vicious!". I emailed some comments that I didn't publish to another friend, including one by Buckeye Mom (who I think I have run into on another site) - in it she told me I needed to be more Christ-like. My friend's response to me was it sounded like she was the one that was having the problem - he saw her comments I didn't publish.

Why this vicious attack on someone for pointing out weaknesses in home schooling? I fully admit there are places in Christian Schools that could use improvement, why can't they face the same thing about home schooling? I jokingly referred to it as almost a "cult", so someone of course replied that Christian schools are a cult. Funny.

Since I made a bunch of dragon breathing carnal women so ticked off with home schooling comments, I am now going to address some advantages of Christian Schools. All you haters don't have to read this. :-)

I feel it gives them more discipline and structure. They have to get up, get dressed, and go to a school building 180 days, approximately 8 hours a day. Yes, in some schools, they don't work all day, whether because of study halls, or due to ACE (which I am not a big fan of) - but they are there under someone elses' authority other than their parents. It helps them learn to respect authority and realize there are other people in the world they have to obey (unless the parents are the type to always take their kids' part).

It gives them some social structure. They are around other kids than just their siblings. They have to learn to get along with other kids besides the ones they live with.

Chapel services. Sure, there is religious training in the home, but I have seen and known of many times in Christian schools that young kids sought God in a chapel service, something that might not happen as quickly at home.

Field trips. I know, parents can still do this, and some may even get with other groupies and do it, but for the most part, I don't believe most home school kids get as good of an experience in that area.

Homework. A nasty word, but it is all part of school, and it sounds like most home schoolers don't have much, or any, in some cases.

Then the extra stuff. Like the school picnic the other night. That was fun for adults and kids, but especially the kids. Christmas programs. Thanksgiving banquets. Gift exchanges and Christmas parties at school. A normal graduation. Awards banquets. PTA meetings for the parents.

I really think parents are robbing their children of some important things they will miss out on my staying home all day with Mom. They can try to substitute and make excuses, but home schooling is a poor imitation of the real thing.

One last advantage that may not hit until the kids are grown, but personally speaking, it has made me appreciate all the years my parents sacrificed to send us kids to a Christian School. I am sure it wasn't always easy. Public school or home school would have been cheaper, more convenient. Some years, it required my mom driving us a few miles to meet a ride to school, then picking us up in the afternoon, but for 18 years, they sacrificed so we could get a good Christian education at an actual school. And it isn't over. I know my parents help out with my nieces' tuition and other school expenses. (Joey's is paid by his church since he is the pastor's kid).

I have said it before: I was picked on a lot and bullied in school, but still would go back and pick going to a Christian school. If I could change anything, I would fight back, and would not have made myself an easy target. Thank God for the Christian School, and for those who have sacrificed to make them possible.

School Picnic & Johnny Appleseed

Last night my nieces' school had a picnic for the school families, and whoever else from the church wanted to come. Obviously, the families that don't have their kids in the school didn't show, and they would have enjoyed it, I am sure.


I didn't want to go that badly, mainly because I have been feeling anti-social lately, but am glad I went. There was a lot of good food, and a lot of desserts. After we ate, a lot of the older kids and the adults were playing tennis and volleyball, and the younger kids played on the playground. I just sat and chatted with the people that stayed at the pavilion, and kept hitting the dessert table. :-)

My nieces all love their teachers this year. It is kind of neat: the young lady who is teaching both Katie & Allie is someone we watched grow up and went to the same church for years. What is cool though, is her mother taught Vicki (and I a little) and now her daughter is teaching Vicki's kids. Her mother also has my oldest nephew for a class or two at his school. Stephanie has Lori Lavan, and really likes her. She didn't want to leave the park last night because she was having too much fun playing tennis with Lori.


The girls stayed here last night and the electric being shut down at bedtime didn't seem to bother them - yes, we are on day 7 of no electric, and of using the generator. It is really getting ridiculous. Nice thing is, when the girls stay here, they want a good breakfast, so we had french toast and sausage. :-)


This week-end Lisbon shut down most of the town for the Johnny Appleseed Festival. They used to have it on the main street of town, then moved it to the fairgrounds for a few years, now it is back to being on the main street of town, spilling onto a couple of other streets. It is a cool little festival. There are rides set up, food, people selling things, a lot of things to do with apples. They had a parade today, so we took the girls down to it. Here are some pictures I took:


















This was close to where we watched the parade from - some people making apple butter. It actually didn't look too great when I looked at it, but it wasn't even the right color yet.














The picture above is just a view of the part of the main street that has been shut down for the food stands to set up. That is about half of the main street of Lisbon you are looking at - big place huh? :-)







This was a float I thought was cool. It was done by an area church, and I think it is their pastor dressed up as Johnny Appleseed.

I took this one because I thought the little Johnny Appleseed was a cute little guy dressed up like that.

One of many older or classic vehicles in the parade. This one was one that I thought was really cool.










And lastly, a horse-drawn entry. Pretty cool.











Before the parade started, I walked down to the library book sale. I ended up with one book for myself, and several Nancy Drew books for my oldest niece. Then to combat the Obama signs being handed out, we walked down to the Republican Headquarters, but they were out of signs, but we met a nice lady and young guy who were working it, and the guy and I exchanged shaving head tips. :-)


After the parade, we wandered around a bit, got some funnel cakes, and I got some awesome chicken fried rice - why is is so good at places like that? And expensive! We also watched the dunking tank, which really intrigued my nieces. They were dunking the football team, but later were going to be putting up some of the many political people who were in the parade. Stephanie was bummed out we didn't stay longer - there was a woman she wanted to see get dunked. :-)


All in all, it was a fun day. The last time I saw a Johnny Appleseed parade was when it was at the fairgrounds, and believe me, when you can see the whole parade at one glance, it isn't too exciting, so this was a welcome change.



And a closing "hello" to "Buckeye Mom". I know who you are.................... :-)

Homeschooling......good idea, or bad choice?

OK, if anyone reads this and home schools, I am not trying to attack anyone who does, or say they are a bad parent. I have thought about blogging about this subject, but a great friend of mine home schools, and I was afraid I would offend her. We recently had an exchange of ideas on the subject though, and it went well. :-) I am extremely anti-homeschooling, except in cases where there is no other option, or a very good reason to not send to the local Christian School.

My parents didn't become Christians until I was almost 12, and was in 6th grade. With a little persuasion from my mom's stepmother and my dad's mother, they sent me, and later, my sisters to the Christian school, even though they were not Christians until halfway through my schooling. I gained an appreciation for Christian education, especially in a school setting, and for their sacrifice. A friend of mine expressed surprise that I am not all for homeschooling considering the fact that I was picked on and bullied for so much of my school years. As I was telling my sister, if I could go back and change anything about the situation, I wouldn't pick homeschooling, I would pick that I would fight back and not let myself be a target.

If anyone is considering homeschooling, I hope they run into this blog and it causes them to reconsider. If you home school, and you aren't doing it right, and are determined not to send your kids to a Christian school, I hope it causes you to examine your methods.



One of my main concerns with homeschooling is the fact that it is slowly whittling away at our Christian schools. Every year, they get smaller, and smaller, and largely in part, due to homeschooling. Should this trend or craze continue, the day will come when no one can afford to run one. It has happened in the past. My one brother-in-law went to a Christian school in Alliance, Ohio, but it got to the point that "parents were deciding they could do a better job teaching their kids than the school did" (his words, not mine). And the school did end up closing, due mainly to homeschooling.

Another concern is too many do not do it right. A family in my church home schools, and their oldest daughter brags that she is done with her homework by noon. Most days. My niece Stephanie, 7th grade, and younger than this girl, has homework almost every night. What kind of discipline and structure does this other girl have if she is done with her work by noon and the rest of the day is play time? No wonder we see the mother and kids out shopping all the time. How fair is that?

My sister Vicki got in a discussion about homeschooling with one of the librarians at Salem library. This women is against it also, and says her daughter-in-law does it, but does it right. The kids are in school 8 hours. They get 2 hours of homework (2 hours seems a bit much, but hey, its homework!)

Along this line, I don't think there is enough accountability among home school moms. I think they should have to be accountable to someone about how much time their kids are actually being schooled, and if they are done at noon, should be brought to task for it. I don't wish homeschooling to be abolished, for some people do need it, when they have no good Christian school around, but I do wish for more accountability with the education system and homeschooling.

Authority. If kids only have mom all the time, when are they going to learn they have to obey other authorities? A friend told me the parents need to train the kids thus - true, but telling them, and the kids actually having to do it are two different things. I think homeschooling would be detrimental to my nephew at this point. That is the main reason he doesn't like school - they make him mind, and he is only used to his parents in that role.

I have seen too many home schoolers that are clingy with mom and babish way past the time they should be. The same family in my church comes to mind, though I have seen others. Kids need to be away from their parents! Otherwise, the apron strings will be chains by the time they are adults. :-)

My sister Vicki said she could never home school. As much as she loves her girls, it is nice to get them out of the house sometimes. She said summer was so tough - the girls never wanted to go grocery shopping, and would gripe and complain about it, and it so nice to do it while they are in school. If she home schooled, when on earth could she do that?

I don't know why any mother would want to home school - when would they ever get anything else done, if they do it right? But it has become the "in thing" to do. I read a comment left on a blog welcoming someone to the world of homeschooling, and said it was nice that it was becoming more "accepted now". Becoming more accepted? Sounds like they are talking about some until now frowned on sin or something - (no I am not saying homeschooling is a sin!)

I really do feel by homeschooling, all too many parents are doing their kids a disservice. Often no structure or needed discipline of a classroom. Usually no other kids to help their social skills develop with other peers. Often having a teacher that never went beyond high school - yet the same people wouldn't want their kids in a school taught by only high school graduates.

It does almost sound like a cult. :-) I mean that in a joking way. Mostly. :-) I was following comments on people's blogs trying to find people I knew, and kept finding all these home school moms raving about how wonderful it is, like their life is worth living now that they are cooped up with their kids playing school all the time. :-)

Why all this hype? Why is everyone so determined to not support their Christian school and make social hermits of their kids? I almost get the feeling from reading blogs that some mothers are doing it bcause it sounds fun, and they can jump into this new community that has risen up and blog with friends about it all.

In closing, one last interesting point - at least to me. :-) Most of the families that first jumped on the home school bandwagon from my church and school, have all gone an easier way now. They don't believe in the holiness way and standards. Was homechooling the cause? I really doubt it, but their drift began by withdrawing from the church and school social network. They ceased to be involved in the school, because their kids didn't go there anymore. Wednesday nights quit being important. Soon Sunday nights were sporadic, then Sunday mornings. Then before you knew it, they weren't there at all, but were going to the more liberal church downtown.

I hope I haven't ticked anyone off. That isn't my intention. Just as passionate as some people are about homeschooling, and want to blog and blog about it, I am just as passionate about my feelings against homeschooling, and my support of the Christian school. Where would I, and a lot of people, be without it. I am thankful my mom wasn't a home school mom, but sent us to a Christian school, and supported that school.

I know Christin schools aren't perfect, and have their faults, but I also believe the Christian school is fought harder than the church, and have heard preachers say so, so that isn't just my idea. Could it be that homeschooling is a very subtle attack on something Satan would like to see gone? I won't say for sure, as to not incur any more wrath on my head, but who knows?

Recently, there was an attack on homeschooling in California. I am glad it failed, but it does make me wonder how soon they will really go after homeschooling. The Christian school will follow, I am sure, but if homeschooling is made illegal, all of the people who didn't think the Christian school was good enough, perfect enough for their kids, will be frantically searching for one to enroll their kids in, but by that time, there may not be any left.

In closing, I honestly was not singling anyone out, or trying to attack home school mothers. Just figured since so many people are singing the praises, it wouldn't hurt to present the other side. So I have done. If I have offended you, forgive me, and pray for me. :-) If I have convicted you, consider the local Christian school, or improving your methods. :-)

One last note: I am aware that some familes may have a very good reason to homeschool even when they have a Christian school, but that is what it should be. A very good reason.

A P.S. If you homeschool, and leave a comment, I will approve it to be shown if you put in it how many hours your kids are in school a day. :-)