Stocking Up on Christian Literature

With lots of prayer about homeschooling, I have found relief in some areas and been challenged in others.  There have been so many programs that I've looked at and wanted to use.  I have accepted that I can't do it all.  Yet, when I pray, I still feel there are some things needed in my daughter's education. 

Christian literature would be one of the top things.  Yes, there are classics and secular books that we will read.  When I think back to my childhood selections, and even when I think of books that absorb me now, I know that the characters in books have a tremendous impact.  For the young, developing hearts of my girls, I want that impact to be leading towards Christ. 

There are books that are wonderful that aren't Christian.  They are fun or moving or educational.  They can inspire discussions or educate.  I totally plan to include these.  However, I also plan to include as much Christian literature as I can. 

I have had to really think about why I am homeschooling.  Yes, the academic advantages are wonderful.  Not having to deal with the public school system is also a blessing.  Watching my daughters grow without the negative social peer pressure amazes me, because they are so much more than I thought.  However, the true purpose of homeschooling for my family is to give my daughters a heart for Jesus and a Biblical worldview.   If I fail in that, I have failed in what God has called me to do.

I've nearly bought all of Laura's main curriculum for next year.  With a mixture of living books and text books, our eclectic homeschool program is taking shape.  I'm still up in the air about a couple things, but slowly God is leading the way.  And, through e-bay, it has been pretty affordable using used items.  Coming up with our own curriculum has been fun.  Scheduling may end up being a nightmare, but I think God will work it out for me.

Finding Christian literature for Laura to read, or for me to read with Laura, has been a challenge.  I've visited the Christian bookstore, and was a little disappointed.  Their selection isn't that great in fiction.  So, I turned to the Christian homeschool publishers.  There, I have found some more of a selection.  I've seen the reading for Bob Jones, Abeka, ACE, and a few others.  I've looked for the books online at reduced costs.  I've been able to get a general idea about the books from reviews and CBD and Amazon online excerpts. 

Slowly I am coming up with a selection of books for this next year.  Supplementing with the library and some books I want to read from there, I am hoping to have an adventurous year.  Laura and I are going to go through American History.  We have lots of stories, both Christian based and some secular, that we are going to use. However, as I've stated before, we are going to read lots of things, not just historically based novels.  While history is important, we are going to focus on math and language arts this year.  That includes writing, spelling, grammar, vocabulary and lots of reading.