Meet Joy Marie, the author

Bear one another's burdens,

and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

WRITING HISTORY:

Joy Marie Dunlap wrote for The Teaching Home magazine for 10 years and plans to do so again as soon as they are publishing again. She has also written for several other home school publications. She has chapters in 3 different books (which are compilations from different authors).

She is currently the editor and main writer for Family Discipleship Magazine for home schooling parents and God Is Love

MINISTRY HISTORY: Before her own children were born, Joy Marie was involved in numerous children's ministries, including tutoring, Sunday School, Junior Church, Vacation Bible School, Summer Camp, and Awana Club. She was also a teacher's aid for the fourth and fifth grades, on the mission field. Joy Marie also started her own Bible club for girls in grades 3-6, which she carried on for 2 years until high school graduation. And she taught

James and Joy Marie found that they had a long list of interests in common, including music, piano, guitar, singing, song writing, drawing, arts and crafts, design, writing, poetry, and most of all, exploring the practical application of Bible precepts to everyday life, seeing the Bible as the ultimate authority because the goodness of God the Creator warrants the cooperation of all in carrying out His good will.

James and Joy Marie were married in September of 1982. They have 5 children, including 3 high school graduates, with 2 children still at home, and still home schooling. Their children have been home schooled all their lives.

FAITH HISTORY: James and Joy Marie were both raised in Christian homes and became Christians during childhood. They were both baptized at age 9 (thousands of miles apart). They understand the Christian life to be a covenant in which we enter into the love, mercy, and forgiveness of Christ, not just for ourselves but for others as well. In other words, in receiving Christ's love for us, we receive His love for others as well, and

Above: Joy Marie was already involved in ministry at this age.

HOME SCHOOL HISTORY: Joy Marie has home schooled all of her children all of their lives. She considers home schooling her own children to be the most thrilling thing she has ever done in her life (after a very adventurous life). She believes that home schooling is God's plan for His children, and that it is treacherous to send the children He gives us to a secular humanist educational institution that outlaws Him, His Word, His moral law, and prayer to Him.

Contrary to popular myths about homeschoolers, they are outgoing, caring people who have endeared themselves to all kinds of people, including Christians, atheists, and people of many other religions, ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. They love to share their Biblical Christian faith in a respectful way that does not coerce others or tear them down, but builds on moral common ground.

James and Joy Marie believe in letting teens think for themselves, but also equipping them with a strong, thorough, reasoned, researched Biblical foundation from an early age, which they can then decide to accept or reject for themselves when they gain independence at a mature age.

WRITING FOCUS: The focus of Joy Marie's writing is home schooling as a whole lifestyle, including parenting, child training, marriage, homemaking, family celebration, natural living, and Scripture study.

Joy Marie is currently a regular writer for 4 different magazines and editor of 2 different magazines. She writes for Family Discipleship Magazine for home-based, Bible-focused Christian parents, Roses in God's Garden for committed Christian girls who home school, Hidden Treasure Magazine for committed Christian boys who home school, and God Is Love Magazine for preschoolers in home schooling families. She also writes songs and poetry.

HOME LIFE: Joy Marie lives in the countryside on one acre, with half of that acre devoted to growing fruit trees. In front of her house is a huge field, and beyond that are snowcapped mountains. Wild rabbits and meadowlarks frequent her family's acre, and horses live on all sides. Joy Marie loves music, trees, flowers, fruit, birds, rabbits, blue sky, mountains, and natural open places. She enjoys spreading wildflower seeds across her family's acre. She also loves talking about Christian and family issues with people who think instead of just mindlessly following the culture around them.

Besides writing, and editing, she loves to spend time with her husband and children, talking, and gardening, and also loves to sing. She is the primary voice in Christmas Carols Sweet and Clear, and is in the midst of recording a second CD of gentle hymns with her family. Her favorite kinds of music are early classical and cathedral choirs. She loves homemaking as well, but is limited by disability. She raised and home schooled her 5 children from a wheelchair.

become a part of His work of love on earth. This includes a commitment to obey Jesus' commands.

PHOTO: Front Row--Jonathan and Joy Marie;

Back row, L to R--

Jennaya, Josh, Justin, Judah. Photo taken in 1999.

Joy Marie attended Biola University (formerly the Bible Institute of Los Angeles), where she met James Dunlap. Joy Marie spent 3 years in college but did not earn a college degree. Instead, she earned her MRS. Degree and then had children.

Once her own children were born, Joy Marie answered the high calling of motherhood, making her own children her top ministry priority, as well as home schooling them (from preschool to high school graduation).

MARRIAGE

HISTORY:

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY: