The Bible had always been our guidebook, and it was now our main textbook.
Through the formative years it was vitally
important that all of our textbooks be
accurate and Biblically sound. We chose
a curriculum with a scope and sequence
for K– 12. (I had been an elementary
teacher in Christian schools before I
married, and so we made our selection
from the familiar curricula that I had used
while teaching—A Beka, Bob Jones
Press, Rod & Staff, etc.) We did not buy
the repackaged texts of humanism and
socialistic teachings that were back on
the market. “Thus saith the LORD, Learn
not the way of the heathen.” (Jeremiah
10: 2) A mind full of false teachings,
unbelief, and ungodly life styles will only
produce those same thoughts and teachings! “Finally, brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things
are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things.”
(Philippians 4: 8)
Daily lessons and schedules began
after prayer and breakfast each morning.
Bible class was first and included
memory verses and a hymn. Our children
would pray and then do their chores
before the next class. Spelling bees, math
drills, and oral reading added excitement
to school days. We had our own book
collection to enjoy and use for unit
studies and reports. As our scholars
grew, we went on hikes and took field
trips to explore aircraft carriers, battleships, the Citadel, and even the USS
South Carolina. For high school credits,
we purchased a satellite receiving
system, and BJ HomeSat® supplied us
with the instructors for chemistry,
physics, calculus, and foreign languages.
Ronald was our first graduate in 2002;
he earned a scholarship for college. In
2004, Benjamin graduated and attended
a Christian university on a scholarship.
Gloria played her violin at her graduation
in 2007 and also plans to attend college.
Raising rabbits over the years has
been adventurous, educational, and a
source of joy for the whole family! We
thank the Lord for the friends we have
made as we have traveled with bunnies
to rabbit shows; the awards our champion rabbits have won; the many skills
we have acquired as we have cared for
our animals, building hutches, etc.; and
the Garden Gate® business that has
been established. I loved taking pictures
of our bunnies and posing them in
bonnets and pinafores! Their adorable
pictures have brought smiles and
amazed people of all ages.
We wanted to glorify God and prayed
for His leading. Would people buy beautiful note cards that had pictures of our
rabbits and Scripture verses on them?
Just raising rabbits—without a card
business—involved a lot of expense and
hard work by our family! By faith we
printed our first Garden Gate® Note
Cards. This year we celebrate our fifth
anniversary and will release our newest
children’s book in the On the Banks of
Durbin Creek series! The thrill of
adventure continues!
Our home-based education has moved
to the adult level. Combining life skills
and experience with college instruction
improves Christian service in the home,
in the church, in the business, and in the
community. In addition to enriching our
lives, the numerous skills our children
developed over the years will be valuable
assets throughout their future. We thank
God for the progress and achievements
that are evident in their applied skills, as
well as those that are evident in the
management of our homestead and
family business. Their responsibilities in
the church are of even greater importance, as is their service to the Lord. Our
love for God should be wholehearted and
part of our service to Him.
Loretta Hayward is a veteran homeschool
mom and teacher (B.A., B.S. degrees in
elementary education) and a homemaker
who loves cooking, gardening, oil painting,
photography, heirloom sewing, and
graphic art. She is the creator of Garden
Gate® Cards (their family business), and
she is the author and illustrator of the On
the Banks of Durbin Creek children’s book
series. Email loretta@gardengatecards.us.
Visit us at www.gardengatecards.us.
