Best of Life as a Lifeschooler: Self-Sacrifice in Lifeschooling – Dr. Jill Butryn

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Self-Sacrifice in Lifeschooling - Dr. Jill ButrynEnjoy one of my favorite interviews on this rerun of “Self-Sacrifice in Lifeschooling – Dr. Jill Butryn.”

How much self-sacrifice would you be willing to practice? Would you give up a six-figure career in medicine to be “just a mom”? My friend Dr. Jill Butryn did just that. She went from a practicing MD to a present mom. Listen to one of our most popular episodes, this inspiring interview about how the Butryn family made it work and how lifeschooling and “staying out of the way” played a key part in “letting their boys be wiggly boys.”

Passionate about living and loving, Jill Butryn, MD, left a thriving medical practice to rededicate herself to faith, marriage, and family. When her verbally precocious eldest child made it very clear in no uncertain terms that being away from home all day to attend kindergarten was completely unacceptable, Jill and her reluctant husband began homeschooling and never looked back.

Bucking convention by not using a curriculum, Jill has home educated two wiggly and willful boys on a steady diet of Legos, literature, and labor, with a dash of mentoring. Committed to “staying out of the way” and allowing each child to develop at his own pace in his own way, the Butryns stress spiritual and relational development over academic achievement, where all that boy energy is channeled into meaningful activities and work projects instead of pointless busywork.

Jill believes parents ultimate responsibility is to turn out healthy adults who love and serve others, and this can only be achieved by modeling and facilitating personal growth through relationship and experience. It is an imperfect process carried out by imperfect people. Thankfully, there is grace.

Here is what I asked Jill during this episode’s interview:

  • So, you were a family doctor before you had children. Tell us what led to such self-sacrifice: the decision to leave your practice and start homeschooling?
  • What was the most difficult part about leaving your practice and did you ever doubt that decision?
  • To remind our listeners, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you?
  • What are some of the gifts that you saw early on in your children and how did you tailor their education around development of those gifts?
  • Tell us about a typical day in your homeschool?
  • Now that you’ve graduated and married off one child and can look back on the entire journey, what would you say you did right, and is there anything you wish you would have done differently? Was the self-sacrifice of giving up your career worth it?
  • I feel like many of us, as adults, are just now learning what our passions truly are and what we were meant to do. I think lifeschooling is such a wonderful way to allow our children to find out who they really are and what gifts God has put into them when they are young. You recently started an online business that provides life coaching in several aspects. I know that came about as a result of some self-discovery of your own, so tell us a little bit about what led you to start that.
  • You can find out more about Dr. Jill and her services by visiting her website, www.jillbutryn.com.

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!


Thank you to our Sponsor – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Movie!

Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about kindness, love and forgiveness from America’s most beloved neighbor.

Best of Life as a Lifeschooler: Unhurried Homeschooling with Durenda Wilson

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Unhurried Homeschooling - Durenda WilsonWe hope you are enjoying your summer break!  Here’s one of our best episodes to brighten your summer day:  For this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Durenda Wilson, author of The Unhurried Homeschooler, a mercifully short book on homeschooling, and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. I just love Durenda’s heart for unhurried homeschooling and her passion for helping moms learn to trust fully in the Lord with their children’s education. I know you will be blessed, too!

Durenda is a homeschooling mom of eight (born 1991-2004), five of whom have graduated. She has been married for 28 years to Darryl and they have 4 grandchildren. Durenda has written The Unhurried Homeschooler-a simple, mercifully short book on homeschooling and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. She is the owner/writer/host of her blog and podcast, Durenda Wilson. She is called to a ministry of encouragement and has a very special place in her heart for moms and homeschooling moms because she believes, for many reasons, that motherhood is not only a gift, but often the unseen place where God moves in very powerful ways. This is why she is convinced that Christian moms must have a working knowledge of the Word that will give them the courage to raise their children as faithful followers of Christ above all else.

Here is what I asked Durenda on the show:

  • Tell us first of all how you started homeschooling and how it became unhurried homeschooling?
  • In reading your site, so much of it resonated with me and I felt like I could have written it! In particular, you talk about today’s homeschooling parents as being bombarded with all this information about what is best for their children. You say: “In an effort to do what we think will ultimately benefit our children, we are, in fact, robbing them of the very thing they need to engage in higher learning and become well-adjusted adults. The results are that our kids are having to cope with the complexities of adulthood and losing their one chance to be a kid.” Explain to us more of what you mean by that.
  • What has had the biggest influence in shaping your educational philosophy of unhurried homeschooling? Were there any books that had a particular impact on you?
  • To remind our listeners, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” How does your family lifeschool? Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you?
  • Tell us about a typical day in your homeschool and has this changed over the years?
  • What are some of the gifts that you saw early on in your children and how did you tailor their education around the development of those gifts?
  • I think for many homeschoolers who have not yet seen homeschooling through to the end with any of their kids, it is very reassuring to hear veteran success stories, especially from those who have embraced unhurried homeschooling. Tell us a little bit about the children you have graduated and what they are doing now.
  • You wrote a couple books, The Unhurried Homeschooler, a mercifully short book on homeschooling and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. I love that… “a mercifully short book…” by the way, because I think most of us homeschoolers struggle getting through an entire book! Tell us a little bit about your books and where to find them. (You may find Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart and The Unhurried Homeschooler on Amazon.)

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!


Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie

Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.
Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson.

Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

Click here to learn more!


Schoolhouse Rocked! Lifeschooling on the Road with the Hamptons

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Schoolhouse Rocked and Lifescholing on the Road - HamptonsGarritt and Yvette Hampton talk about their unconventional lifestyle homeschooling on the road while filming a documentary called Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution. How do they homeschool in a tiny travel trailer while traveling all over the country? Find out in this episode of “Life as a Lifeschooler.”

Garritt and Yvette Hampton, along with their two daughters, Brooklyn and Lacey, are passionate about God, homeschooling, and spending time together as a family. So much so in fact that last year they sold most of their possessions, purchased an RV and are traveling full-time exploring this beautiful country while filming a feature-length documentary on homeschooling called Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution.

Garritt is a movie industry veteran with credits on some of the biggest movies of the last decade. Yvette’s greatest enjoyment is being a full-time wife and mom. Garritt and Yvette are both from Southern California and are in their seventh year of homeschooling. They have a passion for helping and encouraging those just getting started or considering homeschooling, as well as those who are in the midst of it as they are.

Their strongest desire is that Schoolhouse Rocked will encourage families to homeschool with confidence, equip them to overcome the challenges that cause many to give up, and to finish strong.

Here is what I asked Garritt and Yvette on this episode of the show:

  • Tell us first of all how you started homeschooling? I know this wasn’t the original path that you had chosen, right?
  • How did the movie come about and tell us what your mission is with it?
  • Who are some of the people you’ve been able to interview?
  • Now, I was poking around on your site this afternoon and I came across the name of your production company and the meaning behind it. I love it! The name is “Bronze Oxen.” Tell our listeners why you chose that unusual name.
  • So, how many square feet is your camper and how do you make that work?
  • We’ve talked about this before, but how did you decide what to get rid of? Have you missed anything?
  • Well, to me what you are doing with this documentary and doing it while homeschooling is the classic example of “lifeschooling”. The definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.”
  • I love that you heard God’s call for your family and that you stepped out in faith and followed. You didn’t let homeschooling stand in the way because you recognized the value of this type of learning. This is a Deuteronomy 6:4-9 learning environment. So, can you share with us some of the lifeschooling that has been happening in your family? How have your children grown both spiritually and academically? Have you seen the spark of any interests or talents they have?

That’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

Living Books and Lifeschooling – Michelle Miller Howard

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Living books and lifeschoolingToday we are talking to Michelle Miller Howard, author of TruthQuest History.

For over 20 years, Michelle has been a librarian, home-education consultant, author, columnist, and speaker, specializing in top-quality living books, educational vision, and history instruction.  It began in 1985, when she pioneered, funded, and acquired a library of such rare children’s literature, which has been thriving ever since; her Children’s Preservation Library (in Michigan) now houses over 20,000 valuable volumes, serving patrons in several counties.  A second library, Living Learning Libraries, is underway in Florida, with plans for additional libraries, and thousands more rare books already acquired.

Michelle is considered a national leader/expert on living books libraries and literature, and helps others around the nation found and operate such libraries as well. She has also developed a massive database on specialized youth literature.  She is a regular contributing columnist to various national magazines and educational websites, as well as a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Michelle wrote the multiple award-winning TruthQuest History curriculum, which steers families through American and world history with deep, engaging, spiritually-probing commentary, and which embeds her vast knowledge of topic-specific living book recommendations throughout.

Here is what I asked Michelle on this episode:

  • So, you and I have never met personally, but we’ve interacted online as part of Rhea Perry’s Educating for Success group. I love all the books you recommend and you have so much knowledge in this area! Have you always loved books? Tell us why good books are so foundational to education.
  • What are some of your favorite books and how did you incorporate them into your homeschooling?
  • Tell us more about your homeschooling journey and how did you come to write TruthQuest History?
  • Is there anything in particular that helped shape your educational philosophy?
  • The definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents primarily through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you and share with us a bit more about how your family lifeschooled?
  • How did homeschooling strengthen your relationships with your children?
  • How did you fit homeschooling with your family’s unique situation and responsibilities?
  • Was your family ever tempted to quit homeschooling and how did you navigate through that time?
  • What are some of the gifts that you saw in your children and how did you tailor their education around the development of those gifts?

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!


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Cancer and Lifeschooling – Barbara McCoskey

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Cancer and Lifeschooling - Barbara McCoskeyRecently I had the lovely opportunity to combine our kids’ movie planning meeting along with a podcast recording session with my dear friend and cancer survivor, Barbara McCoskey! What fun lifeschooling as we all worked together on our projects (and the little kids played in the pool as we watched from the window)!

Barbara and I talked about field trips to the end of the driveway (yes…you’ll hear what that was all about) and lessons on T-helper cells, among other things. Barbara’s cancer journey eight years ago gave their family a wonderful opportunity to lifeschool! Listen to hear how.

Barbara McCoskey treasures being married to Todd for over 17 years. They have four children, two before her 2010 cancer diagnosis and two adopted after her cancer treatments ended. She and her family are featured in the documentary, the 5-Day Adoption, a movie demonstrating absolute faith and the power of God in answering prayer, released in 2016. She is also the author of Dear God, Please Heal Mommy’s Cancer: One Family’s Journey through the Eyes of a Child and is currently working on her second book, I Will Not Die, but Live. 

Barbara has a passion to encourage others to embrace God’s calling on their lives and to persevere through life’s challenges and started CreatedToProclaim.com to share that passion. She and her family live in Charlotte, NC, where they have been lifeschooling for over 15 years.

Here is what I ask Barbara on this episode:

  • Tell us about your lifeschooling journey.
  • To remind our listeners, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you and share with us a bit more about how your family lifeschool?
  • I sometimes ask my guests if they have ever been tempted to quit homeschooling. It would certainly be understandable for you to struggle during this time when you had cancer. Were you tempted to quit?
  • What are some of the gifts that you have seen early on in your children and how have you tailored their education around the development of those gifts? Were you able to do this through your cancer journey?
  • Tell us a bit about your books and let our listeners know where they can find a copy.

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Hope you’ll join us next time!

The Best Option: Homeschooling – Sam Sorbo

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

The Best Option: Homeschooling - Sam SorboAt the recent International Christian Film Festival in Orlando, FL, I sat down with actor and model Sam Sorbo, whose book on homeschooling, They’re YOUR Kids: An inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate, has had a positive influence in encouraging moms that not only can they homeschool, but that it is, in fact, the best option when it comes to education. Not afraid of offending if she must, Sam Sorbo tells it like it is. You will be encouraged by her boldness in sharing the truth about education and homeschooling!

Sam Sorbo is known for her quick wit, fun personality, voracious work ethic, and strong commitment to principle. She holds many titles including radio host, actress, international model, activist, author, wife, mother, and home schooling advocate.

Sam’s new book, They’re YOUR Kids: An inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate, recently released to rave reviews. Of course, the Sorbos home school their three children.

Sam and Kevin released a movie around Christmas, 2017, written by Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo, and Directed by Kevin Sorbo. The film, “Let There Be Light,” stars Kevin and Sam with their two boys, Braeden and Shane, and features Dionne Warwick, Michale Franzese, Travis Tritt, Daniel Roebuck, Gary Grubbs, and Donielle Artese. Executive Producer Sean Hannity also plays himself in the movie. (Bio taken in part from https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sorbo-show-affirming-feminine-convictions/id1140303542?mt=2.)

Here is what I asked Sam during our interview:

(Note: The surrounding crowd was a little noisy, but it gets quieter after about 10 minutes into the podcast.)

  • So, I’m sure most of our listeners are really curious about how you ended up homeschooling and how you came to believe it is the best option. Why don’t you share a bit of your story with us.
  • Relationship is a foundational principle in lifeschooling and is one of the main reasons why the pioneer homeschoolers started this movement…to build relationships with their children. I know that was a big part of your decision to homeschool. How has homeschooling strengthened your relationships with your children? What changes did you see?
  • Many homeschoolers bring the school model home because we all tend to just do what we know. What experiences shaped and influenced your educational philosophy?
  • Given that both you and your husband are actors, how has travel fit into your children’s educational experiences? Do you study and integrate subjects related to places you visit?
  • To remind our listeners, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents primarily through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you and can you share with us a bit more about how your family lifeschools?
  • Tell us your biggest struggle in homeschooling and have you ever been tempted to quit, despite believing it is the best option?
  • What are some of the gifts that you have seen early on in your children (I know they are currently pursuing acting) and how have you tailored their education around the development of those gifts?
  • A thought struck me as I was reading a section in your book where you talk about preschool and how distraught many children are. My heart really broke for the little girl in your son’s preschool that you described as crying every single day and I thought, doesn’t the Bible say to “do to others as you would have them do to you”? If we really put ourselves into the shoes of our little child who is experiencing something that truly feels traumatic to her, then I don’t think we would do something that really is not necessary. Why do you think parents do this, especially with young children? Are they just not seeing things from the child’s perspective or are they just so conditioned to think that it IS the best option?
  • I am so thankful for someone like you who already has such a prominent platform writing a book advocating homeschooling and showing parents that they can do this. Tell us a bit about your book and let our listeners know where they can find a copy.

You can check out Sam’s site at www.SamSorbo.com and follow her on Facebook, and Instagram.

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

 

The Homeschooling Movement and Lifeschooling – Israel Wayne

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

The Homeschooling Movement and Lifeschooling - Israel WayneIsrael Wayne, regular conference speaker and author of numerous books, joins me on the show to discuss lifeschooling and the homeschooling movement in general. Having been involved in the movement since its inception, Israel has a unique perspective that is always enlightening. His personal stories will be an encouragement to other parents, as even veterans and leaders in the movement are still figuring this homeschooling thing out!

Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker who has a passion for defending the Christian faith and promoting a Biblical worldview. He is the author of numerous books, including Homeschooling from a Biblical WorldviewFull-Time Parenting: A Guide to Family-Based Discipleship, Education: Does God Have an Opinion? and his newest book, Answers for Homeschooling: Top 25 Questions Critics Ask. He has been a regular columnist for Home School DigestHome School Enrichment and The Old Schoolhouse magazines. He is also the site editor for ChristianWorldview.net.

Israel has written articles for magazines such as Answers (Answers In Genesis), The Baptist BannerAbove RubiesHomeschooling TodaySamaritan Ministries, to name a few, as well as websites such as CrossWalk.com, ChristianPost.com, Christianity.com, and many others.

He is a frequent guest on national radio and television programs. Israel has been involved with the homeschooling movement for over 30 years, as his family began home educating in 1978. He has been featured in national and international publications including TIME MagazineWORLD Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, among others. Israel has been featured as the keynote speaker at various conferences, with over 5,000 in attendance. He was also the keynote speaker at the 2016 Lifeschooling Conference. (Bio taken from https://www.familyrenewal.org/author-info/.)

Here is what I asked Israel on this episode:

  • As I mentioned, you were the keynote speaker at the very first Lifeschooling Conference in 2016 and I know that you were excited about the mission of our conference because you were actually homeschooled yourself in a very “lifeschooling” manner. Tell us a bit about your experience homeschooling before there was a homeschooling movement and it was even “legal” in this country.
  • So, I’m sure it was a very natural thing for you to just homeschool your own children, given your own experience. Was this just a given with your wife when you got married? I think she had been homeschooled too, right?
  • One of the things most veteran homeschoolers stress is to know your “why” with homeschooling. I think after authoring so many books, you have a pretty good handle on that. But tell us what stretches your faith most in homeschooling?
  • How do you balance the stresses of travel with lifeschooling and how do you homeschool on the road?
  • As you know, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you and how does your family lifeschool? What does a typical day look like for your family?
  • What are some of the gifts that you saw early on in your children and how have you tailored their education around the development of those gifts?

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

Also be sure to visit www.FamilyRenewal.org to purchase Israel’s latest book, Answers for Homeschooling – Top 25 Questions Critics Ask, and to see his current speaking schedule.

Unhurried Homeschooling – Durenda Wilson

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Unhurried Homeschooling - Durenda WilsonFor this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Durenda Wilson, author of The Unhurried Homeschooler, a mercifully short book on homeschooling, and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. I just love Durenda’s heart for unhurried homeschooling and her passion for helping moms learn to trust fully in the Lord with their children’s education. I know you will be blessed, too!

Durenda is a homeschooling mom of eight (born 1991-2004), five of whom have graduated. She has been married for 28 years to Darryl and they have 4 grandchildren. Durenda has written The Unhurried Homeschooler-a simple, mercifully short book on homeschooling and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. She is the owner/writer/host of her blog and podcast, Durenda Wilson. She is called to a ministry of encouragement and has a very special place in her heart for moms and homeschooling moms because she believes, for many reasons, that motherhood is not only a gift, but often the unseen place where God moves in very powerful ways. This is why she is convinced that Christian moms must have a working knowledge of the Word that will give them the courage to raise their children as faithful followers of Christ above all else.

Here is what I asked Durenda on the show:

  • Tell us first of all how you started homeschooling and how it became unhurried homeschooling?
  • In reading your site, so much of it resonated with me and I felt like I could have written it! In particular, you talk about today’s homeschooling parents as being bombarded with all this information about what is best for their children. You say: “In an effort to do what we think will ultimately benefit our children, we are, in fact, robbing them of the very thing they need to engage in higher learning and become well-adjusted adults. The results are that our kids are having to cope with the complexities of adulthood and losing their one chance to be a kid.” Explain to us more of what you mean by that.
  • What has had the biggest influence in shaping your educational philosophy of unhurried homeschooling? Were there any books that had a particular impact on you?
  • To remind our listeners, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” How does your family lifeschool? Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you?
  • Tell us about a typical day in your homeschool and has this changed over the years?
  • What are some of the gifts that you saw early on in your children and how did you tailor their education around the development of those gifts?
  • I think for many homeschoolers who have not yet seen homeschooling through to the end with any of their kids, it is very reassuring to hear veteran success stories, especially from those who have embraced unhurried homeschooling. Tell us a little bit about the children you have graduated and what they are doing now.
  • You wrote a couple books, The Unhurried Homeschooler, a mercifully short book on homeschooling and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. I love that… “a mercifully short book…” by the way, because I think most of us homeschoolers struggle getting through an entire book! Tell us a little bit about your books and where to find them. (You may find Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart and The Unhurried Homeschooler on Amazon.)

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

Seeking God’s Leading through Fasting and Prayer

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Seeking God's Leading through Fasting and PrayerOn today’s show, I will share with you my journey seeking God’s leading through fasting and prayer, and why I believe it is such an important spiritual discipline for Christians to develop. I am no spiritual giant by any means! But God has taught me much through fasting and prayer, and I started 2018 with a two-week fast in which He moved in amazing ways in our family and my life. It was a truly life-changing experience and something that I believe was crucial to changing and preventing future problems with relationships and family life.

Fasting is also an important part of lifeschooling, as you are so often teaching your children more by example than by what you say in a formal setting. We should also be constantly seeking God’s leading in lifeschooling, and fasting is a great way to do this.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I mentioned drinking salt water in a pure water fast, but I failed to clarify that this is in addition to drinking regular water. I wanted to mention that in case it isn’t obvious.

For this episode, I want to share with you about something that has made huge impact on me and my family. First of all, I am not a doctor! Please consult your health professional for advice and understand that I am just sharing my personal experience with you.

I am a bit hesitant to share about fasting. Jesus made a point about the Pharisees and their practice of drawing attention to their fasting. He said that by drawing attention to themselves, they already had their reward. So in sharing, I want to be very careful that I’m not being like the Pharisees because I certainly don’t want to lose the blessing God wants to give. But I do feel that God wants me to share as an encouragement to others who need to start practicing this discipline.

To give you some background, I started to become interested in fasting several years ago after reading “Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life.” Our pastor at that time also preached a sermon, sharing about his own experiences with fasting, including a time when God used his fast to spark a revival on the campus of his school.

It is important that we also understand that God designed fasting to not only have spiritual benefit, but also the added benefit of health.

I have had failures and successes in fasting. History of my fasts, in order:

  • 7 days – My first one and all I could think about was food! It was more about me and not eating than it was about time with God or seeking God’s leading. Focus on the end date.
  • 10 days – A little better.
  • 27 days – Really learned more how to focus on prayer and the specific focus I had in mind (abortion). But still a lot of food focus (Food Network, scanning recipes online, cooking and baking a lot for family). Also didn’t make it to 30 days. Felt God release me from that (had something I was called to do, so needed to eat for energy). Still felt a little guilty, but I think that was just because I didn’t reach my own goal.
  • 10 days – Really learned about how to focus attention on God. When felt tempted to complain or focus on food, I praised the Lord. At the end, amazing time with God! Weeping. Broken over sin, over what Jesus did for me. I was transformed…peace, love, joy, patience… Glow of being in God’s presense.
  • 2 weeks – Recent fast. I had a plan for specific focus, but God redirected. Time of starting the year with meditation, seeking God’s leading, refocusing life, cleansing. Want to do it yearly.

2 week fast has many benefits: cleansing, weight (fat) loss, breaking addictions, finding out true “appetites”

How to fast:

  • Start slowly
  • Ask the Lord to guide
  • Have a definite purpose in mind

Here are several websites with good information for learning more:

Your Personal Guide to Fasting and Prayer (from Cru.org)

7 Benefits of Fasting + the Best Types of Fasting (from Dr. Axe, a wonderful Chrsitian doctor with a large following)

Freedom You (website with a lot of helpful information about both the spiritual and physical aspects of fasting)

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

Self-Sacrifice in Lifeschooling – Dr. Jill Butryn

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Self-Sacrifice in Lifeschooling - Dr. Jill ButrynHow much self-sacrifice would you be willing to practice? Would you give up a six-figure career in medicine to be “just a mom”? My friend Dr. Jill Butryn did just that. She went from a practicing MD to a present mom. Listen to one of our most popular episodes, this inspiring interview about how the Butryn family made it work and how lifeschooling and “staying out of the way” played a key part in “letting their boys be wiggly boys.”

Passionate about living and loving, Jill Butryn, MD, left a thriving medical practice to rededicate herself to faith, marriage, and family. When her verbally precocious eldest child made it very clear in no uncertain terms that being away from home all day to attend kindergarten was completely unacceptable, Jill and her reluctant husband began homeschooling and never looked back.

Bucking convention by not using a curriculum, Jill has home educated two wiggly and willful boys on a steady diet of Legos, literature, and labor, with a dash of mentoring. Committed to “staying out of the way” and allowing each child to develop at his own pace in his own way, the Butryns stress spiritual and relational development over academic achievement, where all that boy energy is channeled into meaningful activities and work projects instead of pointless busywork.

Jill believes parents ultimate responsibility is to turn out healthy adults who love and serve others, and this can only be achieved by modeling and facilitating personal growth through relationship and experience. It is an imperfect process carried out by imperfect people. Thankfully, there is grace.

Here is what I asked Jill during this episode’s interview:

  • So, you were a family doctor before you had children. Tell us what led to such self-sacrifice: the decision to leave your practice and start homeschooling?
  • What was the most difficult part about leaving your practice and did you ever doubt that decision?
  • To remind our listeners, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you?
  • What are some of the gifts that you saw early on in your children and how did you tailor their education around development of those gifts?
  • Tell us about a typical day in your homeschool?
  • Now that you’ve graduated and married off one child and can look back on the entire journey, what would you say you did right, and is there anything you wish you would have done differently? Was the self-sacrifice of giving up your career worth it?
  • I feel like many of us, as adults, are just now learning what our passions truly are and what we were meant to do. I think lifeschooling is such a wonderful way to allow our children to find out who they really are and what gifts God has put into them when they are young. You recently started an online business that provides life coaching in several aspects. I know that came about as a result of some self-discovery of your own, so tell us a little bit about what led you to start that.
  • You can find out more about Dr. Jill and her services by visiting her website, www.jillbutryn.com.

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!