FPHRC Stories: Where Education and God’s Presence Meet — Sarah Brown

I first heard Heidi St. John mention Firmly Planted on a podcast. As I listened, I found myself thinking, We need something like this near us. Then Heidi said the Resource Center was in Vancouver, Washington. That’s not far from us! I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to get involved.

We jumped in immediately—my daughter took summer camp classes, and by fall, we were fully enrolled. It was the 2022–2023 school year. I was still reeling from the emotional aftermath of COVID and the collapse of a "Christian" homeschool group in our area that had left deep wounds. My heart had grown hard. 

But my daughter—only seven years old at the time—was the one who led me back to God. When she asked me to include teachings about Him in our homeschool, something stirred. Her simple request cracked open a door I didn’t even realize I had shut.

And then we walked through the doors of The Firmly Planted Family Homeschool Resource Center.

What we found wasn’t just a homeschool center—it was a sanctuary. A place where Christ's presence was felt in every hallway, every classroom, every smile. My daughter performed in her very first ballet recital that year, and I cried—five times. It moved my heart so deeply.

For three years now, we’ve been making the trek from St. Helens, Oregon. If we lived closer, we’d probably never leave. That’s how much this place means to us!

Firmly Planted isn’t just a building. It’s a lifeline and a testimony of what happens when faith and education intertwine. It has been an answered prayer for my family and for so many others like us.

We need places like this—now more than ever.

If you’re wondering whether your support makes a difference, let me assure you: it does. It changes lives. Please consider giving generously so that Firmly Planted can continue to be a light in the lives of countless homeschool families. Just like it was in ours.

—Sarah Brown
FPHRC Member