...above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23
We began our homeschooling journey in 2002 and haven't looked back. Our boys were in 3rd and 5th grade when we pulled them from a public charter school. We had grown to resent the way the school dictated our entire lives - when we took vacations, when we got up for the day, how much time we had as a family. And more importantly other people got to spend FAR more time with our kids then we did. God didn't bless us with kids to hand over to our government. No...he gave the kids to US. As we search the scriptures we feel like God calls us to train up our children, to teach them and guard them. We heard what seemed almost an audible calling in our hearts to begin educating our kids at home. The more we read and talked to others about this venture the more we realized this is what we'd been craving for our family all along. It's really about so much more then education, it's about what kind of people are we raising. It's about the things we expose ourselves to and how we work through each day in a sinful, fallen world. It's about choosing to think on the things that scripture calls us to - lovely, pure, good things. It's about filling our kids minds and hearts with God's truths.
We are starting our 9th year and plan to continue on until we clearly hear God guiding us in a different direction. For us looking at it this way instead of evaluating that decision every year gives us a discipline and determination to keep going even on the tough days. Then doubt doesn't have a chance to creep in nearly as easily. Perhaps because we've experienced traditional school life we don't find ourselves thinking the grass is greener on the other side. We don't wonder what it would be like if our kids were in school. I can also say that for our family - we have found that continuing on the homeschooling path is a challenge in many ways, but what brings us great encouragement is spending some time each year finding refreshment and gaining wisdom for our homeschool. Our state conference is the way that speaks the most to Trevor as the leader of our family. In fact that conference along with it's wonderful speakers and books has probably helped shape and grow our family the most. I try to read at least a few books a year and attend support group meetings here in town. I am trying to get back to regularly attending our local homeschool group's monthly Mom's Night Out meetings.
Sonlighthas been our main curriculum provider. The years we weren't able to buy all of our books new, we borrowed from friends and the library. Sonlight is a great fit for our book-loving family. It is a literature based curriculum. The science and math programs they offer also work for us.
The main concern of the curious onlookers is "What about socialization???" For us we were relieved to be able to choose with whom our children will be socializing. When in the real world will we even be sitting in a room full of people who are exactly our age and (supposedly) at the same educational level. We hear through-out Proverbs that we are not to associate with fools and a fool is one who doesn't listen to God. So, that would eliminate the school system where God and the bible and biblical morals have been thrown out the window. There are some amazing teachers out there, but it's a gamble as to who our kids would get each year and regardless of the teacher they were surrounded by 25-30 kids - many of whom were not the kids we wanted influencing our kids for 7 hours a day - 180 days a year. We feel like God made kids and teens easily impressionable for a reason - so that we could impress upon them a love of Christ and His Word. So, that as they grow up - we can help "season" them and when they are ready to leave our nest they are prepared to be salt and light to the world. Homeschooling doesn't guarantee a thing, not a perfect family (we can certainly attest to this!), not perfect kids or grades or a perfect spiritual walk. But, as we struggle raise our kids we feel incredibly blessed to have so much time with them, to have the opportunity to tailor their education to best meet their needs. To discuss what they are reading and learning from a biblical perspective. The boys prefer learning this way, they enjoy the books, the time together and the time it frees up to read extra books, work, play and relax.
Can not believe that Chase has graduated and will be moving out in a month. Hunter is schooling like crazy and working and very busy. What a joy to have our boys home during these crazy high school years. I feel like we'd never see them if they were gone away in school all day, working jobs in the evenings and on weekends and stuck in their room doing homework the rest of the time. So excited to see what God has for them. And I am so very thankful that we won't be empty nesters in a couple of years. Instead we will be in the blessed with the joy of raising up little ones for His glory! We know it flies by and we are eager to welcome another little one in and take advantage of starting homeschooling from the very beginning. What a blast!
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