People ask us all the time why we home-educate. The second question is usually.... "Is it hard?" And then......"Are you monitored by the state? And...."Do you need any special credentials?"
Once, I met a lady in the pool who was besides herself beyond horrified because our kids would never be exposed to people from different cultures. I eased her fears as best I could...reassuring her that our kids are not lacking in that department...having relationships with friends from various back rounds including the Philippines, Hollywood, Haiti, China, and the Salt River Indian Reservation...to name a few. I informed her that they themselves...my kids...were living with siblings from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Her concerns turned to spiritual matters. How would they have contact w/people of other faiths? Again, I assured her that our kids are surrounded by all sorts of different people from different persuasions. We have non-believers under our roof and in our co-op right alongside the believers. We have our whole Jewish side of the family and all our Jewish friends. We've got Catholic family & friends and LDS family & friends. We've got new-agers agnostics, atheists, and more....all within our circle. Sadly, I'm pretty sure this lady in the swimming pool was still besides herself.... beyond horrified that our kids were not in "school" as we parted.
In the beginning we got our share of "Wait! What about
socialization?" Seriously, that one just makes me chuckle. Enough socialization has NEVER EVER been a problem.
Years ago...our boys attended a private school here in town. It was a lovely school...run by lovely people. They were learning and doing well. But the Lord began tugging at my heart. This was not His BEST for our family. I processed the tugs for more than a year...ignoring, turning a blind eye, justifying why it was alright to stay...etc. But, these were the bottom line thoughts that would follow me around after I dropped the boys off early every morning... Someone other than me is with my kids all day long....Bradley and I are responsible for them....not Mr. or Mrs. So and So...and....... the mighty god of education is an idol.
That summer...during a six week long missions trip...the chains were broken. I compiled research, read, read, and read, compiled more and more research....highlighted...filled notebooks with articles...read, read, and read some more.
Bria was in third grade and Mcabe was in first when they came home. I knew what I had to do and I was confident I could do it. We had curriculums, we had, a schedule and we even had a principal! The boys and I stood in the kitchen on our first day and pledged allegiance to the flag by the t.v. These were the days when they still wore matching sweater vests to church and gladly sat for Sears portraits :)
Well, it's been over 9 years now and #1 Son has graduated out of "High-School." We have not accomplished everything we would have hoped as overseers of his education...but we have accomplished more than we could have ever dreamed of. That is my desire for all of our children....that they would not be hindered by our weaknesses and that they would surpass our dreams for them. Spiritually, relationally, artistically, and academically. Did you notice that I put academically last? I am such a bad home-educating mother. Academics come last on my list. It's not that I do not think that academics are important. I do. It's just that I think other things are more important. I tend to align myself with the Hebrew Worldview (do) rather than the Greek Worldview (know.) Assumptions That Affect Our Lives. I know...and I bet you do too.... a bunch of highly intelligent fools.
We (I especially) started out being VERY concerned about academics. I overbought everything I did not need and would never wind up using at the local Curriculum Convention. I attempted to recreate classroom settings with which I was familiar. It didn't take long for my misery to kick in. The kids were miserable too. I had us on a treadmill. Utter waste of time and energy...getting us nowhere fast.
Gradually, I realized that it was insecurity and fear which was motivating me and I relaxed big time. Then, I discovered Marilyn Howshall's Wisdom's Way of Learning.
She reiterated everything I was feeling and thinking. I realized that the Lord gave these specific children to Bradley and I because He knew that we had specific ideas, abilities, and talents that He wanted us to impart to our kids. He trusted us with their stewardship. I remember that Bradley and I are creative individuals w/artistic bents and I began to see the big picture.
Some people think it's weird that I don't really consider (or know) what grades my kids are in...especially the younger ones. I mean...I have a "general" idea. Lower Elementary...Elementary...Middle School...etc. As they grow and mature....and gather experience...we ponder if and when they are ready to move ahead. Eventually, they will graduate High School when they show they are ready to move on to some form of "Higher Education."
We feel that if we can raise God fearing, God loving, God honoring individuals who know their purpose and desire to walk in His ways...individuals who are able to put coherent thoughts together and articulate them well....then we stewarded and shepherded as we were instructed to do so.
We live transparently and authentically in front of our kids. It's the only way we know how... and we are hoping for Godly results when this home-education journey of ours draws to a close.
One thing I've learned over the years is that there is nothing like being home with family members all day long everyday....to expose the sinfulness of our own hearts. Fertile ground for daily life lessons.
Something I must be honest about...
When the going got tough...I was personally tempted to give up on a number of occasions. A friend lovingly confronted me with a few questions. "Is this a calling from the Lord...this home-educating thing? Or are you operating on your own...in your own strength?" You see...I've discovered that even amongst home-educating circles there is a prevalent idea floating around out there...that "we take things year by year"...we "see what comes from each season to the next." I fell into that mindset for a short while....specifically at the "entering high school / panic stricken crossroad." The Lord exposed my distrust and firmly planted a commitment to home-education in my heart. I home-educate as an act of obedience.
He does not always call the equipped but He does always equip the called.
How is it that a large portion of the people think I'm a self-righteous uptight narrow minded know-it-all black or white no shades of gray debbie downer biggot...... while an equally large portion... thinks I'm the biggest loosey goosey go with the flow neither here nor there luke warm whateverfloatsyourboat compromiser hypocrite heathen?
Two of our five fabulous kids came home via overseas adoptions. Russia and Kazakhstan.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
Romans 8:14-16
In you the orphan finds mercy.
Hosea 14:3
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-6
Never take advantage of any widow or orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, you can be sure that I will hear their cry.
Exodus 22:22-23
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
Psalms 10:14,17-18
You are the helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.
James 1:27
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.
Psalms 68:5-6
films you MUST see
After The Wedding A Good Year A Man Called Peter
Away From Her Bella Boys of Baraka Chariots of Fire Country Boys/ PBS Danny Deckchair Dear Frankie Elephant Man Evelyn Half Nelson Hotel Rwanda Joyeux Noel L'Enfant Last of The Mohegans Life Is Beautiful Look Who's Coming To Dinner Luther Mad Hot Ballroom
Martian Child Miss Potter Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Once Pieces Of April Promises Rabbit Proof Fence Remains Of The Day
Savages Shindler's List Simon Birch Sophie Scholl The Age of Innocence The Chorus The Constant Gardener The Count of Monte Cristo The Crucible The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
The Italian The Magdalene Sisters The Maldanado Miracle The Queen The Son's Room To Kill A Mockingbird Tsotsi Ushpizin Walk The Line What's Eating Gilbert Grape
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