Member of the Month - September 2006

Sandy Routh

Sandy and Nicole Routh.

Tim and Sandy Routh have been married for 24 years.  Tim is an engineer for Delta and Sandy has taught school for a private Christian school.  Sandy is an avid reader and enjoys scrapbook and card making.   They have two children.  Beau and Nicole.  Beau is 21 years old and is a biology major, specializing in pre-Med.  Tim and Sandy began their home school journey 8 years ago when God called them to home school their daughter Nicole.  Nicole learns so much more in the home school environment than she could in a regular class room setting.   In following God's plan to home school Nicole, Sandy has realized many of the desires of her heart: spending time with Nicole, teaching her, watching as she grows and learns.  Sharing the journey WITH her daughter as she blossoms into the woman God created her to be is a blessing comparable to nothing else.

Her favorite verse Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".  This is more than a favorite verse for Sandy, it is a metaphor of her life and was powerfully illustrated to her by God only a month into her home school journey with Nicole.   One day, not long after she had begun home schooling Nicole, she was extremely frustrated because Nicole could not remember her math facts.  Sandy sent Nicole outside to play as she went into her bedroom and cried out to God.   "WHY can she not remember her math facts?  She can memorize entire passages of scripture, but NOT her math facts!"  God spoke to her and said, "What is the most important thing for Nicole?  The MOST important thing for Nicole is that she KNOWS ME!  The other stuff will fall in line when it is supposed to."  That day, Sandy realized that her home school had to be centered around God and yes the academics would come in God's perfect timing.  Sandy says that she is called by God to raise Nicole to be a Godly woman who serves others because of the love of Jesus in her heart.  Sandy says that whenever she loses track of this truth and puts her focus on academics instead of on God, EVERYTHING falls apart. 

Sandy has been on the WWCHE Board of Directors for five years.  She loves talking to new members and especially those new to home schooling.  She loves teaching kids, but her heart is for the moms. She loves their enthusiasm and God has given her such a gift to encourage them.   She tells them that in order for a home school to be successful, they must be called by God and their home school must be mandated by God.  God will not call you to do something unless he equips you to do it.  Sandy says that the formula for a successful home school is to first spend time with God yourself.  Second, teach your child(ren) to spend time with God and believe in faith as you follow God's careful leading. HE will bless your home school and the academics will come in HIS timing. Spend time with your children as you come along side of them and let them learn with hands on experience.  Remember, workbooks have their time and place, and yes, academics are very important. But, don't forget to enjoy this journey.....get a little paint on the floor and maybe a little play dough in the carpet. Be intentional about making beautiful memories. Most importantly, follow God as he leads you along straight paths....in the WAY OF WISDOM!

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