Welcome to the ABCJLM family!
15 years ago our family had a need. To my great surprise, God took this need and turned it into a world-wide ministry called ABCJesusLovesMe.
Growing up in a family of educators, I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher. Not because I felt pressured but because I felt that being a teacher was God’s calling on my life. I was being called to be a missionary to kids.
After graduating with a Bachelors in Education degree, I taught in a private school followed by several wonderful years in the public schools. When my husband and I found out that we were expecting our first child, I knew God was calling me to pull back from teaching others' children and to focus on raising our own.
In 2007, I graduated with a Masters in Education. Currently, I am working on my PhD in mommyhood, being a wife and friend, and growing in my relationship with my Savior.
My husband and I are active in our church where we serve preschool children as well as adults. I have the privilege and joy in leading 100 preschoolers in worship and story time.
Sixteen years ago my husband and I welcomed a beautiful baby boy to our family. Quickly the excitement evolved to fears as he was taken from our arms and rushed to another hospital. We spent the next month at the children’s hospital as Bubs experienced open heart surgery and fought back all that was involved. Then we were released and told to “treat him like a normal child.”
But within a few months we realized that we weren’t dealing with normal behavior. This led us to speech and occupational therapies. While the therapists were trying to catch him up developmentally, I knew that I held the responsibility to prepare my son for kindergarten.
I scoured the internet in search of a curriculum to guide our time. But what I found didn’t match my need.
So, I began developing my own Lesson Plans where the learning was applicable, was incorporated into daily activities, and included time for review.
I knew that I wasn’t the only mom looking for a simple curriculum. Along with my husband’s nudging, I felt led to make the curriculum available to others. Thus began the creation of the ABCJesusLovesMe website, introduced to the world on April 26, 2008. ABCJLM is now used in almost every country in the world and has been shipped to over 80 countries.
One of my greatest joys is having the opportunity to meet the ABCJLM family at conference and events. I am honored that God has given me the privilege to empower parents and teachers as I share at Parent and Teacher Conferences the foundation of biblical parenting and teaching tips. More info...
God has given me a passion for children and moms. One way that I connect is through my blog and podcast - Parenting to Impress (formerly Our Out-of-Sync Life).
Discover how we are learning to raise a son with several disorders and developmental delays, a red-headed fireball, a spirited Little Man with severe ADHD and Autism, and our precocious peanut. Each week/biweekly you will read posts and hear podcasts containing tips on parenting, teaching, encouragement, holiday suggestions, growing spiritually, to name a few.
Now, enough about me. I hope that you will take a moment so that I can get to know you! Catch me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram and be sure to introduce yourself!
To receive links to free eBooks and Workbooks, weekly encouragement, and be in the know about our sites, I invite you to subscribe to the Parenting to Impress blog and the ABCJesusLovesMe Newsletter.
God's blessings to you and your family!
-- heidi franz
