Author Archives: Dan

Reflecting on God’s Providence

We are all busy moms as we homeschool our children and manage the home. Often times we rush through the day to complete a lesson, get a meal on the table, or throw laundry in the washer; after all, the kiddos do need clean underwear. We are all too familiar with the tyranny of the urgent.

Moms, there is another urgency. We need to slow down and take some time during the day – or at least at the close of the day – to reflect on the providence of God, evidence of His grace. We often recognize these as answers to prayer. Sammy finally ends his sentence with a period. The light bulb goes on and Edith understands multiplication. Gabe remembers to brush his teeth without being told. Praise the Lord!

But how often do we recognize the unexpected as the providence of God. It’s library day and you just happen to drop into the Library Book Store and find a slightly used Chronicles of Narnia. The electricity goes out, but you have bread for pb sandwiches because you just happened to go to the market earlier in the day. These are not chance circumstances, but God’s invisible hand providing for your needs.

Let us take time to reflect on the sovereign providence of God and thank Him for His marvelous grace, even for the unexpected evidences of grace.

~ June Mather standing in for Melissa Scott

First Things First

Are you a New Year’s resolution type of person?

With curriculum sales, new activities starting up in the spring, and the probability of a busy push to the end of the school year, I do think there is great value in taking time to look back, evaluate, and pray for the future. The beginning of a new year seems a fitting time, so whether you make a formal list or keep it in the quiet of your own heart, let’s carve out some time to hear how the Lord might want to direct us.

As homeschoolers, January sometimes (not always!) marks the halfway point in our children’s academic studies. We here at CHOH encourage you to think over, pray and discuss with your spouses and your children what’s working and what can be done better in your homeschool day. Routine is good and change is hard, so coming back after a long break is a natural window to make adjustments. Don’t forget to encourage your keiki with the efforts they have put forth, and we’re here to say, “Well done!” to all you parents.

An important area for introspection is our walk with God. A strong and real relationship with the Lord is something we want our children to have, but how is our own? It’s a hard question to ask, and we definitely need the spirit of humility David found when confessing his sins to the Lord in Psalm 51. The best way for us to find the strength and wisdom we need on a daily basis is to feast upon the Word of God everyday. Do we desire it like a deer that pants after water? Can we honestly say our soul thirsts for the living God? (Ps. 42:1-2) If not, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Remember there are schemes being planned in the heavenly realm against you. Someone who wants to keep you distracted just enough that you can’t seem to find the time to read your Bible. With that knowledge, it’s good to have a plan in place. There are many options for reading your Bible, and even if you can’t seem to stick to the Bible-in-a-year plan, the effort will be well worth it. Don’t give up! Press on.

Lastly, do you remember way back when we suggested writing down a family mission statement? Now is a good time to read over that again and scribble down any more thoughts. Are you still on track? Are your family choices aligning with your ideals? My family found ourselves in a pickle of a predicament after making a quick decision regarding extra-curricular activities. We didn’t stop to pray about it, or even discuss it much. We felt the deadline pressing in and we jumped. And have paid the price in money, anxiety, and unrest in our hearts and schedules. Lesson learned the hard way, and our kids learned it right along with us.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” How good it is to walk in the steps the Lord has for us.

Happy New Year from CHOH! May the Lord’s blessing be upon you and your families this 2025 year as we seek to know and glorify God more every day.

Capturing the Wonder of Christmas

Do you have a fond Christmas childhood memory you cherish and like to think back on? Is there a special family tradition you try to make sure happens? Do your kids wake you up early in eager anticipation on Christmas morning?

We, who still have little people at home, are blessed with extra doses of both wonder and, dare I say, the magic sparkle Christmas morning brings. Many of us work hard to combat the consumerism we see cloying at the heels of Christ-followers this time of year. We battle the busyness, the distractions, the overwhelming pull for our attentions, while at the same time wanting to join in with the festivities that are aplenty. I would suggest, instead of tossing everything out, you prayerfully seek out those things that add to the other-worldly atmosphere Christ’s birth brings.

After all, powerful beings sent from another realm with messages to chosen ones to rise up and do the unthinkable sounds more like the premise to a fantasy novel than real life. A forbidden trek across the countryside? Surprise guests who run through villages telling of an indescribable vision? A celestial body signifying your son’s home and ancient men secreting valuable gifts to you?

Sounds pretty fantastical to me. And that is as it should be.

The beauty of Christ’s birth is the juxtaposition of his place in our lives. The Word made flesh who dwelt among us, clothed in rags of humility, a reference not only to his swaddling but the imperfect human form he took upon himself. The wonder of Christmas is something to be celebrated, to be sought after, to revel in. Let us not scrape away too much of the magic of the season from our children’s lives that they, our hopeful little image-bearers, resemble more of the cynic than the saved.

May we foster the wonder, the other-worldly celebration Christmas is meant to be this year, and remember the miracle of Emmanuel. Christ with us.

Merry Christmas from `Ohana CHOH to yours.

The Importance of Community

Have you ever felt alone? Have you felt like you have no one to turn to in the midst of struggles or a tough situation? As believers, we are gifted with the promise that God will never leave us or forsake us. His Spirit is with us, our ever-present help in time of trouble. And thankfully, many of us can give testimony to how God has used his body, the church, as His hands and feet to minister to us in practical ways.

Our homeschool community should function in much the same way. Have you been the recipient of the blessings of a homeschool ‘ohana? Are you still looking for your “people” or are you in the giving phase? Hopefully, we can experience both the giving and receiving end in our journey because each is a valid part of a loving homeschool community and we need each to grow.

Emergencies happen. We have days when our homeschool load seems too much to bear. Whether through tough medical situations, job loss, or the everyday pressures of life, sometimes we find ourselves in need of a shoulder to cry on or extra hands to care for our family. Or, we may be the ones extending extra love or time or meals. Let me say thank you to those of you who are giving right now. Some of you have the gift of hospitality, and others don’t feel like they do; but either way, don’t let that stop you from letting the Holy Spirit prompt you to care for one another.

Some of you might be reading this and feeling discouraged. Maybe you have extended yourself over and over again. Maybe you have been the giver, the friend, the confidante, but at the end of the day, you still feel like you’re on your own.

I’ve felt that way, so let me encourage you.

My dad is a local pastor of a small church. Growing up, my family has had years of pouring out into the lives of others. As a PK, I’ve seen the giving that takes place behind the scenes, the forgiveness extended, the practical ways one believer can help another. My church ‘ohana is a small one, and I went to a small school leaving my social life to a tight inner circle of just a few. Even as an adult, I used to marvel at friends who would run into people they knew wherever they went. But I was okay with it. The Lord uses us all in different ways, and I knew I needed to be faithful to pour into those the Lord placed in my little circle of influence. God had given me enough, and I was thankful for the ones close to me.

Fast forward to the beginning of this year. In January, my mom was diagnosed with stage four cancer. To say my mom is my hero is an understatement. Everyone loves my mom. It’s a common occurrence for friends to want to be “adopted” by her. She has poured into life after life through sewing lessons, tea parties, and one on one prayer and discipleship.

This year, my “small” community showed up in droves. My family has been enveloped in love, support, and tears when needed. My parents have been cared for, grace has been extended to me in my responsibilities, and most importantly, the fervent prayers of the saints showered my mom. We felt the full weight of decades of giving come full circle, back to bless my loved ones and myself. Helping a friend is rarely convenient. But for me, after being at both ends of the equation, Matthew 25:40 (“…whatever you did for the least of these…”) has new meaning.

Friends, our homeschooling journey is not meant to be a solo endeavor. Similar to the Christian walk, we need support, we need encouragement, we need community. As we head into Thanksgiving week, “…let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works…” (Heb 10:24), remembering that Proverbs 18:24 continues to hold true. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Blessings,

Melissa

Free or Low Cost Resources for Homeschoolers in Hawaii

As homeschool families are often on single incomes, we are always on the lookout for great deals. This month, CHOH takes a look at low-cost or free resources for your Hawaii homeschooling budget. If you’re feeling the financial pinch of living in the islands, here are a variety of local activities, field trip tips, and online resources to help you out.

Local Activities

The Homeschool Ohana PE ministry (HOPE) meets weekly at Patsy Mink Park in central O’ahu. Free to all, the kids get to exercise while moms and dads get to meet and talk. Check for weekly meeting info. //www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084378362529

Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii

This volunteer run organization is a great way to instill the ethics of hard work while giving your child a taste of what it’s like to be around horses. Find out more about their volunteer programs.

//www.thhwaimanalo.org/volunteer#:~:text=Volunteer%20%7C%20Site%20Info-,Volunteer,to%20learn%20about%20horse%20care!

Ben Franklin

Not just for moms! Check the schedule for your local Ben Franklin event calendar. With classes available for adults and kids, it might be a much needed way to make a mess elsewhere!

//www.benfranklinhawaii.com/events/events-1

District park programs

Have you ever checked into community classes? Optimal for homeschoolers with flexible schedules, here is a link to a variety of free or low-cost classes hosted by your community center or one of five nearby botanical gardens.

//pros5.hnl.info/activities?d-page=3&d-offset=30&d-limit=10

Library

More than books! Did you know being a part of the Hawaii state library system gives you access to self-paced music lessons, Mango language lessons, as well as movie streaming services? Even better, you can use your library card to access the Libby app, making e-book and audio book borrowing a breeze!

//www.librarieshawaii.org/

School Supplies

Fisher Hawaii has graciously offered to extend their teacher discounts to homeschooling parents! Mention Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii and get that discount we’ve all been wanting!

Field Trips

Can’t afford a membership, but still want to visit? Consider putting together a group of students for group rates. Here are a few places to start with.

Mission House Museum

With minimal costs and age-appropriate tours, this is a must for children of Hawai’i. Students $5, adults $8, one free adult with every 10 students. Be sure to go next door and visit the grounds and interior of Kawaiha’o Church.

//sites.google.com/missionhouses.org/hmheducationresourcecenter/book-a-school-tour?authuser=0

Honolulu Museum of Art

Take a free docent led tour. 25 student minimum, 1 adult per every 10 students.

//honolulumuseum.org/pQmBjHl/student-visits

Or lead your own group on a free self-guided tour. Book 2 weeks prior.

//honolulumuseum.org/pQnmBs3/self-guided-visits

Bishop Museum

School groups with older students (5-17) get 1 free chaperone for every 10 students, whereas groups with younger students (4 and under) get 1 free chaperone for every 5 students. $8 per person.

USS Missouri

Group discount for school groups – a group of 10 (minimum) students with one teacher, the cost is $10 per student, $14 for the teacher/adult. Contact Scott Tyrrell, School Programs Coordinator at scott@ussmissouri.org for more information.

//ussmissouri.org/get-involved/EDUCATION

Hikes

This site has many great ideas, but it also contains links to family friendly hikes.

//oahufamilyfun.com/free-things-to-do-in-oahu-with-kids

Online

YouTube videos can be a helpful resource for explaining science and history concepts and facts. Be sure to vet all videos before showing your kiddos.

Numerous free homeschool curriculum listed by subject area. This site is extremely helpful and well organized. Updated and easy to search, it is highly recommended. //freedomhomeschooling.com/

Virtual field trips

I know we’d rather see it in person, but many museums and places of interest offer free virtual tours. Use it as research for the next the paper, get to know a place before you visit, or visit a faraway land.

With many more options out there, hopefully this list will give you a good starting point to launch out and find those low-cost or even free resources! What’s your most helpful tip or favorite place to take your homeschooling kids?

How to Start a Co-op

You might be tempted to skip this section but hear me out. Have you ever thought about starting a co-op? It’s not that hard and the benefits are totally worth the effort. All you need are three things:

1. People
2. Place
3. Purpose

Take a moment to take inventory of your homeschool circles. Are there homeschool friends you wish you had more time with? Do you know of a nearby park, church classroom, or community center that might be willing to share a space with you? Is there any activity you or your kids are particularly jazzed about? With these simple questions, you might find your thoughts drifting to the what-if’s of starting your own group.

If that’s the case, here are a few practical tips.

1. Don’t take it on alone. Let others be involved. Laulima.
2. Charge a fee. It can be $5 per kid. $10 per family. It forces us non-committal homeschoolers to be in all-in or not.
3. Communicate a clear purpose. Are you getting together to learn a foreign language? Is this a PE co-op? An art co-op? A “we just want to meet at the playground and chill” co-op? Give clear expectations and parameters.
4. Consider your time. If you come up with a beautifully color-coded schedule, who’s going to maintain it? In the beginning, less is more, so start small and simple.
5. Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of community. The friendships my family has made with other homeschooling families have far outweighed any expectations I had when I first started.

If you have any questions about how to start a co-op group, check out the CHOH website!

Crafting a Homeschool Vision Statement

How is your summer going? Have you been able to get out and enjoy the sunshine?

With a busy baseball spring over and ocean temps back to within reason for this spoiled Hawai’i girl, the beauty of God’s creation calls. Once again, this summer I’ve made it a personal goal to get myself to the beach at least once a week. Something about the steady crashing of the waves blows away the chaff of my mind and helps me surrender my thoughts more fully to the Lord.

Yet, embarrassingly, this is not the first year I’ve attempted a weekly trek to Kailua’s white sands. Sure, we go to the beach, but with all the extra sports camps, church camps, VBS, etc., it’s sadly far less than it should be for anyone within a fifteen-minute drive.

But different from the past couple years, this summer I’ve made it every week!

What changed? A clear and precise mission. I will go to the beach once a week, in the morning, taking as little with me as possible. I will hustle my kids out the door, beach toys fiercely limited and good attitudes expected (the occasional reward of malasadas or shave ice is possible). Defining my goal has helped me accomplish it. 😊

We all know how this works, but let’s apply it to homeschooling. A dear mentor recently challenged me with making a Homeschool Vision Statement. My husband and I have talked over our goals throughout the years, but we’ve never made it official in writing. As homeschoolers, we constantly face a myriad of curriculum, classes, and clubs, to choose from as many of you saw at our recent Resource Fair. A vision statement (with prayer!) can help guide us in the endless weighing out of options. This summer, I’m going to take the time to make one, and I’m challenging you to do the same.

Whatever your reasons for homeschooling, discuss with your family what your endgame is. Successful businesses all have a mission statement, and you will see others flail in the wind without one. Do you hope to develop your children’s communication skills? How about their advocacy for important issues? Are you a sports family or do you value STEM learning? As Christian homeschoolers, we want our children to have a biblical foundation and be able to defend their faith. You can make it as broad or specific as you like and adjust it as the years pass by. Ask the Lord to direct you and lay your hopes and dreams for your family at His feet.

Then share it! I’d love to hear what you come up with! Hit reply and label it with CHOH Community Connects. We’d love to share it in next month’s newsletter.

Until next time, happy homeschooling!

How to Find Homeschool Friends in Hawaii

Though my daughter and husband insist it is not summer until the summer solstice, for me, June marks the beginning of beach time, hiking, and jumping through sprinklers. It is also a season of transition, especially for our military families. As homeschooling parents, a common question many in the islands face is, “How do I find homeschooling friends in Hawaii?”

At CHOH, we hope to aid you in finding those connections, your community, your new homeschool ohana. Here are three great ways to start looking for homeschool friends.

Join a Club or Co-op

Have you heard about our local Honolulu Speech & Debate Club? How about Arise Academy or Windward Christian Homeschoolers? With the transient nature of the islands, it’s hard to keep a solid list of clubs and co-ops going, but there are two reliable places you can look. Oahu Homeschool Communities, Resources, and Services is fantastic, as well as Christian Home Educators Oahu (CHEO). You can find both on Facebook. They are regularly updated by admins and members with new and current co-op invites, field trips, classes, and curriculum sales. You might need to scroll a little, but the friendly ladies on the other side of these accounts know their stuff and can help point you in the right direction.

Go to a Local Homeschool Event

The CHOH Used Book and Curriculum Fair is right around the corner. Come on out and talk to the sellers. Some of these moms already have a decade of homeschooling under their belts—come chat with them! Ask for advice, get connected, and you might walk away with the ingredients for a beautiful friendship.

How about going on a field trip? Once you get connected with CHEO, you will learn about the many field trip opportunities. Field trips are a great way to get to know lotsa people, kids and parents, and you’ll probably learn something along the way!

Take Initiative

Are you part of a local church? Ask your Sunday School teachers or church leadership if they can point out other homeschool families. Have you gone to your local library during the day, only to find a table of children quietly perusing a stack of books? They’re probably homeschoolers! Be brave and introduce yourself to their parent. At the beach, on a hike, or at the grocery store, homeschoolers are everywhere hiding in plain sight. Sometimes we just need to be willing to take the initiative and get out of our comfort zone to find our people.

Can I encourage you with a little story? One of my sweet homeschooling mom friends saw a bunch of kids and moms on a hike. As we all passed each other, someone shouted across the tops of kids’ heads the question, “Are you homeschoolers?” That was three years ago and the rest is history. The main thing is to start. Get out there and live out Proverbs 18:24.

Yes, Hawaii is a transient community. It kinda stinks sometimes. But don’t let that hold you back from putting yourself out there. I used to think I didn’t know anyone. And I hardly did. A small school and even smaller church did not make for a very big circle of friendships for me or my kids. But twelve years into homeschooling, I not only have dear friends all over the world, but also all over the island. Every graduation, recital, or birthday party reminds me how special our Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii community is. Thank you for being a part of it.

If you do come to the bookfair, stop by and say hi! I’d love to meet you in person.

~~ Melissa Scott

Standing in Solidarity from Generation to Generation

It has been said, but let’s say it again!

Thank you to everyone who emailed, sent letters, made phone calls, testified, and sent alerts out to parents and friends regarding the Senate resolutions. The battle against our homeschooling freedoms will continue, but it is good to rejoice and reflect in the recent win.
The homeschool movement is growing in Hawaii and across the country, and it sure is wonderful to see parents as a child’s primary educator becoming normalized. I want to encourage you to stay involved and aware of what is going on in the political process, especially when it comes to our rights regarding how to educate our children.

Teach your children about the political process, educate them as to the why’s of what we do, and get them involved. Parents, do you know a homeschooling mom who has graduated her kids? Is there an auntie in your church who used to homeschool? Talk with them and find out what it was like when they first started homeschooling. We need to be aware of our past to appreciate our present freedoms.

Hawaii is a transient community, made up of locals, military, and those trying to make it work in paradise. Wherever you come from, do get involved and take a stand for the sake of your neighbors, co-op groups, and church ohana. I have often heard it said from travelers that Hawaii is a great place to raise a family, and one reason for that is the way we get behind each other to support and cheer one another on. It is easy for us to think “someone else can do it” or “that’s just not for me.” I encourage you to pray about what you can do to help homeschooling in Hawaii continue to flourish. Maybe you can get involved in the political process, neighborhood board, or organize a rally. Maybe your role to is to show up to your local co-op group prepared and ready to pour into your students. Maybe it’s been on your heart to start a prayer group to pray for Hawaii’s youth. There are a myriad of things to be done, and God knows how He wants to use each and every one of us. But we must be willing.

I recently spoke with a sweet family visiting from Germany and we talked about how it is illegal to homeschool in their country. If you’ve been an HSLDA supporter, you have likely heard about the Romike family who left Germany to seek asylum in the US, so they could homeschool their children. How blessed is our current generation to have had homeschooling rights handed to us on a silver platter? But our state homeschooling laws were hard fought, and the future of homeschooling in Hawaii carries no guarantees. Let’s stay united and vigilant. We must pass on the torch to our children, standing in solidarity from generation to generation.

~~ Melissa Scott

Easter Traditions

Easter, like Christmas, is a holiday filled with expectation. I find myself piling up my plate of to-do’s just like my Easter Sunday potluck plate. A day set aside to celebrate our risen Lord should not add to the chaos of our lives, but sometimes it does. Why? Some of it is self-inflicted, much stems from a heart of wanting to bless others, but a lot of the stress and mayhem comes from the enemy of our souls. I do not have this down, I promise you, but a couple changes to our family rhythm have brought about much peace.

I am blessed to be forced, in a way, to start praying over Easter Sunday all the way back in January. I lead our church’s hula ministry and I start prepping our keiki and ladies for the day early in the year. This brings a unique set of commitments on an already busy weekend, but over the years, it has become a huge way of blessing our church body and inviting visitors into the worship and message and it has challenged me with the necessity of prayer. Our hula sisters pray fervently over each other as the weeks tick by, for protection and peace against the inevitable spiritual warfare that is sure to come. Stepping out in ministry often puts a target on us as believers, and prayer is one of the main ways we do battle against the enemy. I encourage you to begin praying over this year’s March 31^st. Let’s not give the enemy a foothold on such a powerful day.

Another means we try to bring peace to a busy day is by shifting our timing. While special, it’s hard to keep up with all the traditions every year, but two things have lasted the test of time. Both take place the day before Easter, so Sunday is all about Jesus. Friday, I bake enough Easter crown bread to last for a couple days. Eating it together marks a special time where we can talk about and pray over the next day. The second thing (some of you may think we’re so carnal, lol) is our Easter egg hunt. We do the whole thing: dyed eggs, plastic eggs with jelly beans, golden eggs with money, and a small basket with a few special treats. Either I’ve lost you right now or you’re loving the idea of doing this the day before Sunday. All the questions of “Is it time yet?” are laid aside and “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” take their place.

These two key changes have helped our family not get through, but rather celebrate and relish the joy of Christ’s resurrection power and God’s amazing love for us on the most special of holidays in a Christian’s life. Start praying over your family, your church staff and friends who need to hear about Jesus. Ask the Lord to reveal family rhythms that need change or an adjustment. Remember the big picture: we are soldiers engaged in a war and this March 31^st is the day we proclaim victory over the armies of darkness. Christ reigns and He is worthy. From all of us at CHOH, we pray you have a truly blessed Resurrection Sunday.

He is risen,
Melissa Scott