One of the Projects I Have Been Working On

I often struggle with the finding the balance between fulfilling my first calling -- to be a mother and wife -- and using the gifts and abilities that God has given me in order to serve others.  I don't have any magical answers.  If you have some, please pass them my way.  I know it can't be an either/or thing...reading through Proverbs 31 shows you that the virtuous woman cares for the needs of her husband and family AND is intelligent, industrious, a servant, and a faithful user of her time.  I'm just trying to figure out what that looks like in my life.

In any case, one of the ways that I have been trying to serve is by volunteering my time to Heart of the Matter.  They are an active homschooling website filled with articles, reviews, and more. Quarterly, they issue an online magazine.  When they were looking for a new graphic designer, I offered my services with the understanding that I am self-taught, NOT a professional, and a busy mama.  They understood and gave me the privilege of working on the last two issues (December 2009 and March 2010).  I must say, I have learned a lot in the process and also know that I really know nothing about professional layout and design.  I do, however, have some basic skills that I have transferred from digital scrapbooking that I have put to use, hopefully in a way that meets a felt need. 

The current issue is a special issue with a focus on reading.  Here is my intro:

Few Words from Janet:

Even before I had kids, I was scared of two important parenting tasks: potty training and teaching my children to read. As confident as I was in other areas, these two important milestones in a child’s life seemed out of the realm of something that I could teach. I often wondered what would happen if my fears came true and my kids never learned to do either. Now the rational side of me told me not to worry, but my rational side doesn’t hang around our house much.

And now here I am…seven years and four kids later. All four of my children are potty trained. My seven year old reads with ease and I am in the process of teaching my five year old to read. Each day I am amazed that the gift of reading truly is something I can pass on to my children.

As I have spent hours putting this magazine together I have had the privilege of reading the articles written by parents whose expertise and experience in reading far exceeds mine. It has been encouraging to read about different methods for teaching, encouraging, and helping readers of all levels. There is one common theme woven throughout these articles: the written word is a gift to all of us and it is our joy as homeschooling parents to hold our child’s hand and heart as we share the love of reading. I hope that all of you are as inspired as I have been.

You can get links to the magazine in various formats HERE.

Comments

[Tiffany]

You did a great job! This issue came at the perfect time for us - I just got back from a reading workshop & so much of what I learned was shared in these articles. Thanks for sharing the link!