How Can This Be Free?
First, I want to apologize to anyone who has written me or left a comment and it went unanswered. I just found hundreds of messages in my spam folder. I don’t know why some of my wordpress comments go to spam and others don’t. I’m trying to go through them now, so that’s why some of you are just getting a response from me. Normally I’m great at getting back to people right away. I don’t like to let things back up! Below is something I posted on facebook yesterday. I wanted to share it with you too. Someone questioned how this site could really be free.
How can this be free?
Part 1 – Stepping out of the boat
Why would I offer this for free? Let me tell you a piece of my story.
My husband and I have served the Lord overseas for more than 10 years. For several years we raised the money that we received monthly from our agency. When we came home on furlough, we spent each weekend in a different church, sharing our stories and hoping for financial support.
In 2008, we felt convicted to leave the system. We didn’t like it being such a business, a job. We thought serving the Lord should be 24/7/365, not a 40-hour week. My husband also felt like he was unequally yoked at his job teaching English. He didn’t like that they controlled his time.
So he left his job, and we left our agency. We wrote to all of our supporters and told them to send their money to orphans instead. We stepped out of the boat and onto the water. We were going to trust the Lord to provide, and we were pretty sure we would be tested to see if we really did trust Him.
Part 2 – The Test
We eventually ran out of money, but that’s when the miracles happened. We were trusting God to provide. We knew we were obeying, had always given very generously and had faith that His word was true. The bills were due the next day. A few people still sent us money from time to time, saying that the Lord had prompted them to give. We accepted their gifts. They would give through Paypal, and it would show up in our bank account under “pending balance.” With nothing pending in our bank account, we knew it would be at least three business days before money would be available, even if someone sent something that night.
Before bed, my husband decided to check the bank account one more time. And there it was. Our miracle. $1000 was in our available balance. It said it was a direct deposit. We had told no one of our need. My parents were the only ones with our bank account info, and they were traveling out of the country at the time and had nothing to do with it. $1000 was enough for the whole next month (We lived in a ghetto very cheaply.)
Part 3 – The Accidental Blogger
That same year our family learned about lapbooks from a friend of mine. She pointed out one that we got for $1. (This is also how we learned about Currclick.com.) I started designing lapbooks for my kids to make. My kids starting designing lapbooks for themselves.
I had always posted family pictures online for our far away family and friends, and I would post pictures of our lapbooks to show the grandparents what the kids were doing for school. I started getting strangers showing up at my family page to see our lapbooks. (Google alerted them.) I felt strange having these strangers looking at my family photos, so I separated them and started posting our school pictures on a blog, Just Us.
I thought I could earn money by making lapbooks and selling them on Currclick.com. I sent them a sample and they sent me a contract. Before I signed it, the Lord convicted me. I was impressed to not sell them but to give them away. So, I did. Giving away free lapbooks, I started building a following at my homeschool blog.
Part 4 – The Rest of the Story
There’s more of my story between then and now, but I’ll save that for another day. There was never a question of selling this curriculum. The Lord had already turned my heart on that issue, but I was making the site for my own children, and I didn’t want to have this whole curriculum and have only my children use it. I wanted to help others who needed to homeschool for free.
If you’ve been following along, it’s not hard to understand how I got started homeschooling for free. We are no longer in the same situation. My husband now has the perfect job teaching foreign languages to homeschool students online through Currclick.com. He sets his own hours and he LOVES foreign languages and has fun teaching.
But now I am committed to homeschooling for free. The first year I was putting together the curriculum, no one else was using it. When a few people did start using it, I added the donate button to the site. I knew I was offering something of value and that there would be people who would want to give.
So, hopefully you can see who I am and why I would offer this for free a little better now. I love giving. It makes me happy. I have learned to trust God to provide, so I don’t feel the need to build the curriculum into a business. It’s an encouragement every time I’m surprised by a donation message in my inbox, but it’s a much bigger encouragement when people write to tell me about how they couldn’t have continued homeschooling without the site. I’m not going to take it away from them.
Thank you so much for this true ministry. May God bless you richly. I felt called to leave my job and my husband left a high paying job to go into ministry. I left to homeschool our children. We barely get by now. However God is always faithful to provide our needs. We have experienced miracles ourself. Sites such as yours are one way I truly believe God provides for our needs. Thank you for your service to Him.
Christy
February 6, 2013 at 8:22 pm
Lee….thank you for sharing your testimony, your work and well, the Lord! You are a blessing to many more than you know.
Michelle
February 6, 2013 at 8:22 pm
My husband and I also served on the mission field overseas (how we met) and I had always been bothered by the furloughs spent trying to raise money and the pressure to write newsletters asking for money every month. I grew up in family that often trusted God to provide, and He always did, just as He often does with my own family, and so much of your post resonates with me. I so very much appreciate your efforts. Things have been very tight lately financially and there hasn’t been funds for the “next level” in homeschooling and even though I still have things I can reuse with the younger kids, I am so thankful The Lord has provided an option for the older ones through you. God bless you and your efforts.
Heather
February 6, 2013 at 8:24 pm
I think your story is a wonderful example of God’s blessings and leading. Keep it up.
Deedra
February 6, 2013 at 8:36 pm
Thank you so much for all your hard work! We absolutely love your curriculum! I don’t know what we would do without it!
Jo Beth
February 6, 2013 at 11:50 pm
What a blessing you and your curriculum are to many. I just shared it with a family that is now homeschooling. God bless you and your family.
Cheryl
February 7, 2013 at 3:58 am
Thank you for sharing. I love your story. Bless your heart!!
mybibleportion
February 7, 2013 at 5:56 am
Wow! At the almost end of another day, you have made this tired grandma smile. I am encouraged by your heart full of love and your generous spirit.
Margaret Hardiman
February 9, 2013 at 4:14 am
so greatful for you…Thank you for your hard work and for saving us time and money…i have a form of MD that causes muscle wasting in my extremeties i get tired easily but a try to homeschool my younger 2 but i get tired very easily and have done the beat-me-up/guilty thing for far too long…i am happy to have found your program of mercy…
Elisha
February 11, 2013 at 3:28 pm
I have posted this before but it bears reapeating. We just recently moved across country. Housing did not work out the way we thought so we have most of our stuff in storage while we wait on a house to open up. This site has been a big blessing to me! All the resources I need to fill in until I have my stuff again. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Gina
cnkx3
February 17, 2013 at 9:57 pm
Thank you thank you thank you!!! I have six children ages 9 and under and have been very tight on money as my husband has recently started his own business. I was at a loss of what to do for homeschooling…I’m very blessed to be around a lot of homeschoolers and I was homeschooled myself. But my current books that were mostly given to me to borrow weren’t working and the whole issue of homeschooling was very stressful at the time. I kept praying for God’s help as I knew this is what He wanted us to do but I was so discouraged and quite frankly hated homeschooling at this point! Then I saw several comments on a homeschool blog on FB of people liking Easy Peasy…checked it out. LOVED it! I consider all the work you have done as a direct answer to prayer for me!! My kids love it also and I enjoy homeschooling again. Then I had one laptop that was going out and which made me pray more….now friend is giving us a computer! Thanks for all you do and your inspiration to listen to the voice of God and blessing others! If we all would give generously what God has blessed us with so many more needs would be met in the body of Christ and the world!
Stacey
February 18, 2013 at 3:48 pm
So happy that you are enjoying homeschooling again
The King Will Make a Way
February 18, 2013 at 9:27 pm
Thank you for your heart to give to others what God has blessed you with. We will definitely be using many of your resources for my two kids.
Demetria@Christian Homeschool Moms
February 20, 2013 at 5:49 pm
I haven’t started using your site…yet! But I’m sharing it will anyone who’s interested in homeschooling. I have been blessed by your story. Thank you so much for all the work you have done! May God continue to bless your family!
Robbin Gillespie
February 23, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Thank you so much for your kindness and giving. I just found out about this site and I am very excited about it. My husband and I have 5 kids and have been homeschooling since my oldest was in Kindergarten. He is graduating this year. Money has been such a huge issue as of late where we might end up having to give up our house that I love. So I just wanted to thank you for doing this. I have extremely blessed already and I know you have and will continue to bless others.
Kathleen Dwyer
Kathleen Dwyer
February 24, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Your story had brought me to tears. What a beautiful and selfless person you are to share all of your hard work. I am a mom of three and expecting number four in June. I told my husband today that I feel like I have a calling and that is to be the one who educates my children. So I looked for a program that is not so overwhelming as I am new to this and also will be starting while tending to a newborn. Your hard work will surely make easing into homeschooling very easy. You are truly a blessing to many and I applaud what you do. I will be one to donate, as your generosity compels me to give back. Thank you for being such a caring and giving person. You are a true inspiration and an example of how all mankind should and can be. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Nicole
March 10, 2013 at 3:59 am
Comments like this are very humbling. I know I am very human, but Christ in me in capable of wonderful things. I am so happy that you have decided to homeschool and am glad I can help you get started.
The King Will Make a Way
March 10, 2013 at 12:11 pm
I started homeschooling my four daughters 15, 11, 9, 5 this school year. All I knew for sure was God wanted me to do it. So I had done MuCH research and quite overwhelmed. I prayed and told God I didn’t know how to do this He would have to do it, and show me. A couple days later I don’t even remember how but a came across your blog! So to you I am so thankful and great ful!
Mindy s
March 15, 2013 at 4:42 pm
THANKYOU! I just stumbled across your site. I am humbled by your testimony. We will definetly be using these resources! I can only imagine how much time and energy you have put into organizing and finding these. May God continue to bless you and your family!
fifthjoy
March 22, 2013 at 12:41 am
Thank you for sharing it free of charge — for your obedience to the Lord in this area. We are one of the families that have been able to homeschool because of this, as we can’t afford a curriculum package. Your willingness to obey the Lord has blessed me!
RejoicedOver
March 28, 2013 at 11:31 am
Thank you for letting me know. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a blessing.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
March 28, 2013 at 11:43 am
WOW! I’m so thankful to you for following and trusting in the Lord and for your willingness to help all of the rest of us!! I’m so excited about your site. I’ve been praying and praying about what to do for next year’s school year (I’ve homeschooled my children since birth and have a 1st grader and 2 third graders). You are the answer to my prayers!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!
Brenda
March 29, 2013 at 4:49 am
After almost a year of struggling with schooling my 3 (2 of whom have only been home from Eastern Europe for 2 years), we have had so many struggles with language acquisition, bonding, learning disabilities and time management that school has become extremely frustrating for all of us. Thank you so much for providing this ministry in this way. I have been trying to figure out how to afford to buy curriculum for next year, but I am so excited that The Lord has provided once again! God bless you!
Stacey
April 4, 2013 at 7:00 am
I am so glad it will help your family. Our family lived in Macedonia for 6 years.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
April 4, 2013 at 1:32 pm
I am so happy to have found this site. You and your family have been such a blessing fo so many. God has richly blessed me through you. Thank you!
Kristyn
April 11, 2013 at 1:14 am
God bless you, dear sweet sister in Christ! Words cannot express my gratitude!!
fcage10
April 20, 2013 at 4:00 am
I have just found your site this evening and I have found it to be a great blessing! The curriculum and topics are well laid out and complete. I have spent several hours on your site and I think you have done a great job. Your effort to allow families the opportunity to use your sources for free is fantastic. I love it! Many more people will as well. Bless you and yours!
Dori
April 21, 2013 at 2:40 am
Tonight you are part of an answered prayer!!! I have been praying for a more interactive computer based curriculum for my 3 boys. Not wanting to bring “school” to our home, I have been so torn by the lack of options online. I just happened to get on Facebook and a mother shared a similar need and that she found your program. As I read and played around it became more and more obvious that God has used you and your call to enable my family to move in our call!!! Thank You soo much for listening, obeying and holding fast!!! This is no easy task in itself and it is clear that you put prayer, thought, love and TIME into this!!! Then to top all this, what I have read of your testimony has encouraged me to get out of the boat as I have been call to do!!!! I love you and I thank you!!! We will be praying for your family as we enter each day of class!!! Praise God!!!, from whom all Blessings flow!!! You are my blessing of peace and hope tonight!!! May God lavish you 10 fold what I have received tonight!!!
Becky
April 22, 2013 at 2:46 am
I relate to your story on so many various levels. My husband and I were foreign missionaries and raised support much like your family. It often left us feeling dirty – even though I know those that gave did so out of a heart of love and service. We were Providentially redirected back to the States and I’ll spare you the book on that! But I do want you to know that your curriculum is a TREMENDOUS blessing to our family! And my heart is warmed that there are others out there who believe in GIVING. (my hubby is pastoring a small church plant in a very difficult area for no pay…and people think we’re nuts for not pursuing support!
Anyway…thank you SO much!
…danielle
danielle
April 25, 2013 at 6:00 pm
This is what we’ve been searching for for many years. I am so excited! I only have one school age child left at home, but this is a Godsend! Truly we have been at a standstill trying to find some program that met her need to be treated intelligently and my need for it to be as inexpensive as humanly possible plus an online course. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Paula Summers
May 1, 2013 at 8:27 pm
You will never imagine how such a blessing you are! I really do appreciate you. I am less than a year in homeschooling. Just discovered your site yesterday. So inspiring ‘ JUST AS COLD WATER TO A THIRSTY SOUL”. I cant imagine how you were able to put all that together. Being a missionary myself, i understand and appreciate your sacrifice. My children have been having wonderful time learning. Thanks for being a blessing to many. CAN I DOWNLOAD? HOW CAN I USE OFFLINE? GOD BLESS
Prisca
May 10, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Are you on facebook? You can ask the other mothers what they do. You can download almost all of the reading ans worksheets of course, but they will need internet access at least some every day.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
May 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm
I have been feeling very frustrated with school for the past few months. I have a nine year old that does 3, 4, and 5 th grade and 5 year old in K. We also now have a 3 and 4 year old. We cannot afford curriculum so I have been trying to pull things together on my own. It was exhausting before and now that our nephews are here it makes it almost impossible. After reading through some of your site I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts.
Wendy Trader
May 23, 2013 at 2:47 am