CHRISTIAN HERITAGE HOMESCHOOL & FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP CONFERENCE
“Persevere … and Finish Well!”

April 17-19th, 2008
Overlake Christian Church, Redmond, WA

Pre-Registration Ends at Midnight
Saturday ~ April 5th!

REGISTER NOW!
~ After April 5th, registration at the door only.
~ Limited number of scholarships yet available. Click Here

FULL CONFERENCE PASS includes admission to:

• 7:00-9:00 … Thursday, April 17th
  Vendor Hall Evening*

• 8:00 a.m-9:00 p.m. ... Friday, April 18th
  General Sessions
  Workshops
  + Vendor Hall Shopping
  and …
  ++ Family Night ~ with Homeschool Concert, Historical Re-enactment, and Keynote Message by Doug Phillips

• 8:00-5:45 … Saturday, April 19th
  General Sessions
  Workshops
  + Vendor Hall Shopping
  and …
  Closing General Session ~ Christian Heritage Chorale Concert and Closing Message by Doug Phillips

+ Vendor Hall Evening Only Passes available at the door for each day
++ Family Night Only Passes available by pre-registration (with discount) and at the door

ALSO, don’t forget to RSVP for the post-conference
SUPPORT TEAM BANQUET

• Banquet by invitation only to Speakers and Support Team Members
• Banquet RSVP Deadline, Saturday, April 5th

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Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering,
for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how to stir up one another
to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is
the habit of some,
but encouraging one another,
and all the more as you see the Day
drawing near.
(Hebrews 10:23-25)

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PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Midnight, Saturday, APRIL 5th

• Save $5-10 per pass off all At-the-Door prices
• Including “Full Conference” and “Family Night Only” Passes
• See Complete Details Here ...
• Or Register Here Now!

Don’t miss this Family Enriching Conference
... or this Discount!

TWO …
Write Your Local Newspapers
in Support of Home Education !

• The California Court Ruling has given homeschooling nation-wide coverage. The time has never been better to speak out in favor of home education.
• Print Details Here
• Great project for your family or homeschooling students!
• Let’s show them what a blessing homeschooling is, that homeschoolers can write … and that they have something to say!

THREE …
See “Exposing a Trojan Horse” ... just released !

Government-funded programs for homeschoolers are everywhere … and they are enticing. They provide free materials, services, and experiences to home educating families. But there is a cost!

“Exposing a Trojan Horse” interviews Voddie Baucham, Brian Ray, Dorothy Karman, J. Michael Smith, and many others. Hear homeschool leaders and parents across the nation uncover the hidden costs of participating in government-funded programs for home educators.

Whether you are independently homeschooling or currently enrolled in a government school-at-home program, you can’t afford to miss this powerful presentation! Your children’s futures depend on your understanding the vital issues exposed by it. And be sure to share it with all your homeschooling friends!

• “Exposing a Trojan Horse” will be shown during the “What’s All the Fuss … ?” workshop presented by CHN Directors, Scott & DiAnna Brannan at the Christian Heritage Conference.
• Or, learn how you can purchase “Exposing a Trojan Horse” now.
• Film produced by the National Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership.
• Visit their site at BeginningHomeschooling.com. Helpful information for all homeschoolers, beginners and beyond!

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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
(3 John 1:4)

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• 1 … Fortifying & Practical Messages! ... To instruct, invigorate, and encourage you wherever you are in your family discipleship journey
• 2 … Joyous Music! ... To bless, uplift, and inspire your entire family throughout the conference, and to give young adults from homeschooled families (ages 13 and beyond) the opportunity to participate in the outstanding Christian Heritage Chorale
• 3 … Living History! ... To help you and your children experience & understand God’s work in the history of the world and this nation
• 4 … Vendor Hall Full of Edifying Resources ... To equip your family and enhance your Biblical education & discipleship process
• 5 … Fantastic Fellowship! ... To give opportunity to see and meet a host of other serious, Christian homeschooling families who share your commitment to raise up a Christian Heritage for God’s glory!
• ... and More!

Christian Heritage Homeschooling & Family Discipleship Conference

April 17-19, 2008
Overlake Christian Church Conference Center
Redmond, WA

REGISTER NOW!
Pre-Registration Deadline: Saturday, April 5th
Save $10 off At-the-Door Registration!

You won’t want to miss this event!

Hear what our 2007 attendees said …

Just wanted to THANK YOU for the AMAZING conference we attended. I am so thankful my husband attended with me, and that we were able to hear speakers on fire for the Lord. The music was outstanding, the workshops well done, the vendors wonderful and even the food was great . . . and it was so obvious that God blessed every part of it all. Just BEING around other Christian families was soooooo good.

We are a first generation Christian family and NEEDED to hear the encouragement, challenge, and edification we received. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am praising the Lord for the work He is doing through you . . .

I just wanted to express my appreciation to everyone who made the conference last weekend possible. It was really a time of refreshment and encouragement in our walk and journey. ~ Veteran Homeschooling Mother

Thank you so much for the wonderful conference and the encouragement we received. We would gladly travel again from [Twin Falls] Idaho to listen to the quality speakers and thought provoking topics and to witness the love of Christ and family. May our Lord God bless you and we hope to come your way again.

We are looking forward to next year!

We just wanted to thank you for the INCREDIBLE conference you put on! It was SO well done. We were very impressed with every aspect of it … We came [a long way] and we were not disappointed!! Great speakers, great topics, great vendors, great people!

God bless all of you for your hard work. We are greatly encouraged to fight the good fight and build a legacy for God’s kingdom!

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Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. ~ Jude 1:24-25

If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time!

This is true of archery, of building a business … or of homeschooling! Twelve years of homeschooling will speed swiftly by! And then what?

We do need to prepare our children academically. But most education of the past century—including home education—has failed in also equipping students for marriage and a vocation. Don’t make this mistake with your precious ones! Aim at preparedness for your children’s futures!

Whether your children are YOUNGER or OLDER …

You must start aiming at equipping them now, or you won’t hit the target in the future! Are you ready?

• Now Is the Most Important Time to Start:
• Researching options for the future of each child
• Regularly discussing with them God’s design & direction for their lives—even though the decision- making processes may not start for several years.
• But How??

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the christian heritage homeschooling & family discipleship conference

Specifically designed to give inspiring & practical help for
Getting Started … Keeping Going … and Moving Beyond!

APRIL 17-19th ~ REDMOND, WA

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INSPIRING ADDRESSES by Doug Phillips:
Sharpen your Biblical vision for discipleship &
your children’s futures:
~ “From Fear to Eternity”
~ “Secrets of Multi-generational Visionaries”
~ “How to Think Like a Christian”
~ “Uniting Church & Family”
~ “Victories! Moments Which Define Christian Parenthood”
... and more!

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PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS by the Roger Erber Family, Don Chittick, Ryan Yamane, Tom Denlea, and others:

On Getting Started in Discipleship & Homeschooling:
~ “Home Education—Just One Aspect of Life”
~ “Making the Most of the Pre-School Years”
~ “Charting Your Course: Beginning Homeschooling”
~ “Plan the Work & Work the Plan”
~ “Washington Homeschool Law Simply Explained”
~ “Navigating the ‘Daunting Seas’ of Curriculum Choices: How Do I know What’s Right for My Family?”
~ Roundtable Discussions: Getting Started Q&A
~ Roundtable Discussions: Child Training Q&A
... and more

On Keeping Going:
~ “Fathers & Their Sons”
~ “Tips for Homeschooling a Houseful”
~ “Handling the Pressures of Your Homeschooling Day”
~ “Independent Homeschooling vs. Gov’t-School-at-Home Programs” (Including film “Exposing the Trojan Horse”)
~ “Anyone Can Do This Better Than Me! Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms”
~ Science: “The Puzzle of Dinosaurs” (+ 3 others)
~ Writing: “Teaching Your Children to Write Well”
~ Civics: “Legislative Process: How a Bill Becomes a Law”
~ History: “Washington & Henry: Men of God Who Persevered”
... and more

On Moving Beyond:
~ “Joyous, Purposeful Daughters at Home”
~ “Courtship: Understanding the Why, What, & How”
~ Panel Discussion: “Preparing Children for Courtship & Marriage”
~ “What I Need to be Prepared for Today’s Job Market”
~ “The Exceptional Employee: How to Become One”
~ “Working for God & Not for Men”
~ “College Credit by Exam: No Classroom Required”
~ “Preparing for Future Leadership”
~ “Mentoring: Rediscovering a Lost Art” ...
~ “Providence & Perseverance: God’s Message from History to Our Children”
... and more

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Plus …

“Support Group Leaders’ Workshop“ by Roger Erber, and Support Group Leaders’ Roundtable Discussion

Excellent VENDOR HALL!

Great Musical Performances by Homeschoolers throughout the Conference ~ including the CHRISTIAN HERITAGE CHORALE!

And … FAMILY NIGHT’S Special Performance of
PATRICK HENRY & 2nd VIRGINIA CONVENTION DEBATE—1775 Historical Re-enactments
to Make History Come Alive!

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the 2008
christian heritage homeschooling & family discipleship conference

~~ HELP for HITTING the BULL’S EYE! ~~

Whether your children are tiny or teens, prepare yourself now for the Biblical discipleship, the schooling processes, and the equipping each child needs to move successfully into an adult life that can please and glorify Christ.

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register now!

Save $10 – Pre-Register by April 5th!

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legal updates …

• Update on “WA SB 6929 - An act relating to a repeal of the common school code:”
  This bill was cause for “Red Alert” concern & prayer during the legislative session which ended this week. We are grateful to the Lord that the bill died mid-session and no further legislative action was taken that affected homeschooling in Washington.
• Update on California Court Ruling against homeschooling:
  God has raised up many home education proponents in California & across the nation to speak out and take action against this ruling. Please pray for God’s continued protection of homeschooling freedoms in that state, the nation, and the world—for the good of His people and for His glory.

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The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him,
And I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.
Psalm 28:7

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To easily download & listen to “In Defense of Homeschooling” ...

• Recorded radio broadcast ~ Friday, March 7, 2008
• by James Dobson & Michael Farris
• Click Here

For more information, see previous Christian Heritage e-Newsletter sent today.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask or think,
ccording to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations,
forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• A California court ruled last week that homeschooling is illegal in that state.
• Because this ruling may affect all homeschoolers across the nation, we have forwarded you the following HLSDA Alert
• We also encourage you and your friends to sign the HSLDA petition at the bottom of this message.

• Click Here for news report on California court case.

===================================

From the HSLDA E-lert Service…

===================================

Broadcast: Focus on the Family daily radio broadcast with Dr. James Dobson
Program Title:
California’s Threat to Homeschooling Families
Airdate: Friday, March 7, 2008

===================================

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

In what could be one of the most important homeschooling related broadcasts in 25 years, James Dobson interviews HSLDA Chairman Michael Farris on the developing situation in California.

We encourage all homeschoolers to listen to this broadcast, and ask you to forward this information to anyone who is concerned about homeschool freedom, parental rights and the direction of our courts.

Sincerely,
Ian Slatter
Director of Media Relations

===================================

Listen to Broadcast Today!

Since the broadcast is aired on stations across the country at different times, please visit—

• http://listen.family.org/findastation/
• and search for “Daily Focus on the Family Broadcast” to find the station that covers your area.

Sign Petition Now!

• You can help stop this threat to homeschooling by signing an online petition to depublish the Court of Appeal opinion:
• Click Here.

===================================
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The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of:
Home School Legal Defense Association
P.O. Box 3000
Purcellville, Virginia 20134
Phone: (540) 338-5600
Fax: (540) 338-2733
Email: info@hslda.org
Web: http://www.hslda.org
===================================
How To Subscribe:
Subscribe to the HSLDA E-lert Service at our website:
Click Here
Or send an email with name and complete mailing address to:
subscribe@hslda.org
===================================
DISCLAIMER: This is considered a private and confidential message from HSLDA to its bonafide HSLDA E-lert Service subscribers.
HSLDA cannot attest to the authenticity of copies posted, forwarded, or sent by any party other than HSLDA.
===================================
===================================

And Register Now!

• Christian Heritage Annual State Homeschooling & Family Discipleship Conference
• For vision, instruction, and encouragement in preparing your children for the future
• April 17-19 ~ Redmond, WA

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way,
and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7

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• “Christian Heritage State Homeschooling & Family Discipleship Conference
  April 17-19th
• Save $10 off normal pre-registration on Full Conference Pass; $20 off at-the-door registration (per Individual—Spouse Free).
• Save $2 off Additional Member Pass (per Unmarried Child or Grandparent ~ Nursing Infants Free)

#2 … TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE, FEBRUARY 20th

• Great science lesson for the whole family!
• Partial eclipse beginning about 5:20 and with full eclipse about 7:20 PST
• Click heading above for NASA link. Or find more info on “Total Lunar Eclipse” (both tomorrow’s and past ones) using an Internet search engine such as Google.com or Ixquick.com or an an encyclopedia.
• Whether cloud cover allows us here in Washington to view the eclipse or not, researching the eclipse while it is happening is a great way to study the heavens, the work of God’s fingers: “O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!”

~ Psalm 8 ~

O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field,
The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Did you hate history in school? Many did–my husband & myself included! Lists of summarized facts & dates endlessly strung together in textbooks did little to draw us into the wonder of the works of God among men from Creation forward.

But, as homeschoolers, we and our children have had the exciting opportunity of exploring the past together as a family and discovering how valuable this subject really is. As we have shared this adventure over the years, to our amazement we have learned that:

• History is not dead, but alive!
• History is not dull, but active and intriguing!
• History is not divorced from real life, but imminently pertinent to how we live our daily lives!
• Read more on Why Study History? ...

Learn More About History & Its Importance …

That’s one goal of this year’s annual Christian Heritage Conference—to make history come alive! Learn about some of the most influential founding fathers, be inspired by their testimonies of perseverance and faithfulness to God and to their nation, and apply the examples of their lives to your own. For example:

• HEAR … Doug Phillips on
  “Washington & Henry: Men of God Who Persevered”
  “Providence & Perseverance: God’s Message from History to Our Children”

• SEE … Patrick Henry & the Men of the 2nd Virginia Convention
  As they debate the key issues facing them at their time in history …
  And as they arrive at conclusions that affected them immediately AND that continue to impact us today!

At the 3rd Annual
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE HOMESCHOOLING & FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP CONFERENCE

April 17-19, 2008
Overlake Christian Church, Redmond, WA

REGISTER NOW!

Save $10 or more ~ Early Bird Discount Expires
next Wednesday, February 20th!

This bill has been drastically changed, and instead of repealing outright over 900 common school laws as it was originally written, a substitute bill SSB 6929 was introduced and passed on Thursday by the Senate Education Committee. This substitute bill had much bipartisan support.

A substitute bill supersedes the previous bill. Substitute Senate Bill 6929 proposes a select committee for repealing education statutes and making recommendations to the legislature. According to the Washington State Constitution sections referenced in SSB 6929, the scope of this committee is currently limited to public school laws.

So at this time, due to the direction this bill has taken, the homeschool laws appear to be no longer threatened. However, no one can know for sure what direction this bill will eventually take regarding homeschooling.

What to Do?

1. No political action is needed at this time. But prayer action is definitely needed! We will stay on Red Alert until this bill either passes or the legislative session has ended.

2. CHN is closely monitoring this situation. We will continue to maintain our presence in Olympia so that we can get information quickly and be ready to take necessary action. We all need to stay diligent in monitoring this bill. Please contact us immediately if you hear anything. You can reach Scott and DiAnna Brannan at our home telephone (253) 639-3325 or via e-mail at chnow@msn.com.

3. Become Familiar with These Documents:

• CHN document prepared to help clarify what we mean by “the homeschool law” and to help us all to be united on this issue.
• Senate Bill SSB 6929
• Washington State Constitution ( SSB 6929 references Article IX —Sections 1 & 2: Education – Scroll 2/3 way down document to find these sections.)

Thank you for all of your e-mails of encouragement. Your prayers are greatly appreciated and needed.

Scott and DiAnna Brannan
Directors of CHN
Preserving homeschool freedoms
for today & tomorrow!
Christian Homeschool Network
www.CHNow.org

© 2008 CHN all rights reserved
Permission to copy and distribute if copied in its entirety, or contact chnow@msn.com.
If you support the work of the Christian Homeschool Network, please join CHN!

No action is needed at present, but please stay tuned! And please fervently pray with us for God’s protection on our abilitiy to legally continue discipling & educating our children at home.

Serving Christian Homeschoolers for God’s Glory,
Christian Heritage Home Educators of Washington
www.ChristianHeritageOnline.org

RED ALERT RED ALERT RED ALERT

ATTENTION ALL HOMESCHOOLERS AND SUPPORTERS:

Monday evening CHN was made aware of a bill that would repeal most of the education code, which would include the home-based instruction laws. After much discussion with the prime sponsor of the bill Senator McAuliffe, who is also Chair of the Senate Education Committee, we were able to propose a simple solution to exempt the homeschool laws RCW 28A.200 the home-based instruction law, RCW 28A.225.010 the part of the compulsory attendance law which allows for home-based instruction and RCW 28A.195.010 which allows for homeschooling under private school extension programs. Not realizing that this would be so simple, Senator McAuliffe quickly agreed to make these changes to her bill!

Anticipating that a bill like this may be introduced this session, CHN began discussions last year with other state leaders at CHN’s State Support Group Leaders Summit. We all discussed what we need to do to prepare and how best to protect the homeschool laws. Thankfully, this helped us to be ready, when speaking with Senator McAuliffe, to present a reasonable, simple and united solution. Also, this is why we asked you to write your legislators in the fall asking them to protect the homeschool laws. Your actions helped us to gain support from other lawmakers on this issue.

As some of you may remember there was a similar bill in 2001 which also would have repealed the education code including the homeschool laws. At that time due to the opposition of homeschoolers this bill died in committee.

However, at that time many homeschoolers seem to be confused as to what are the homeschool laws versus what laws affect homeschooling. Many of us say “don’t touch our law” but we have not defined what that means. Click here to see a document CHN prepared for state homeschool leaders to help clarify what we mean by the “homeschool law” and help us all to be united on this issue.

CHN passed out a similar document to the Senate Education Committee at the February 6th hearing so that they, too, would be better informed on our laws. We followed up with many senators on the Education Committee and they showed their support for our proposed changes and agreed to take us out of the bill!

No action is needed at this time. However, we wanted to make sure you were aware that this is a potentially dangerous bill and we all need to be informed and ready to take immediate action if necessary.

We all need to stay diligent in monitoring this bill. Please contact us immediately if you hear anything. You can reach Scott and DiAnna Brannan at our home telephone (253) 639-3325 or via e-mail at chnow@msn.com.

This has been a fast session and this bill is moving very fast as well. It was introduced on Tuesday, had a hearing Wednesday morning, and could be voted out of committee today (2-7-08)—which means it could go to the Floor for a vote soon.

We will keep our Legislative Activity Page updated as necessary and will keep you posted on the progress of this bill.

Our status in Washington State must stay at RED ALERT until this bill passes or the legislative session has ended.

FYI- As soon as CHN heard about this bill they alerted Christian Heritage, Home School Legal Defense, Family Academy, and the Washington Homeschool Organization. Thank you Christian Heritage for immediately alerting your prayer chain. Your prayers greatly sustain us and are very much appreciated.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

See Senate Bill SB6929.

To learn more about this bill read the Senate Bill Report. This report clearly states that it is not the intention of this bill to repeal the homeschool law.

Preserving homeschool freedoms for today and tomorrow!
Christian Homeschool Network
www.CHNow.org

We are able to continue our work as a result of your gifts. It takes a large amount of financial resources to maintain a presence in Olympia each session, put together an annual newsletter, research and prepare reports, make thousands of copies, and maintain a website and a free e-alert system.

We sincerely welcome your financial support, which is the lifeline God uses to allow us to exist. We do not have any financial grants, or other sources of income to provide for this work. We pray that you will consider helping with this great mission. Your participation will help us preserve our homeschool freedoms today and for future generations.

To support our efforts monetary gifts to CHN are appreciated; however as with all political lobbying organizations they are NOT tax deductible, but nevertheless remain vital to our continued efforts on behalf of homeschooling. Please make checks payable to: CHN, 10638 SE 236th St., Kent, WA 98031 Or become a member by joining us today.

© 2008 CHN all rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute if copied in its entirety, or contact chnow@msn.com.

This information is not intended to be and does not constitute the giving of legal advice. Before making any decisions that could affect the legal status of your homeschool program contact Home School Legal Defense Association www.HSLDA.org for advice.