Note: This blogpost should have a warning label, a disclosure statement, not for the faint of heart, etc. attached to it. Please do not read this post if you are opposed to homeschooling!
The year was 1992 and I decided to "homeschool" my then five-year old son. Blogging, Pinterest, texting and social media was yet to be discovered. My circles of friends, family and influence did not include much support either. Can I look back today and count it as good? Was it the right thing to do? Would I do it again? Would I encourage others to consider the options? Yes, would be my answer to all of the preceding questions!
I would like to be able to tell you that my husband and I had this great big God-dream and we were on the same page as this little part of our journey began! Years later as we pursued science experiments in the kitchen, not limited to dissecting a fetal pig on the kitchen table, social gatherings, sports events, support group meetings, the constant ringing of the telephone, and the endless field trips, I began to be shaped by a new-emerging thought process. Education in America was in the infant stages of being reformed. How did we survive?
In order not to digress into a history lesson I will allow you to do your own research about the early Pilgrims, their plight, their hardships and their success in coming to America! As I was driving down the highway one day, on the way to another event the Holy Spirit spoke to me in almost an audible voice. He showed me that we were Pilgrims in this thing they called "homeschool". It was not my job ever to recruit, persuade entice others to join. It would need to be a personal conviction and one That He would take care of. In other words I was not to be Holy Ghost Jr! However, He graciously allowed me to share my journey and tid-bits of encouragement to those that were following behind me.
Twenty-Two years ago this weekend, Labor-Day weekend, I anxiously awaited the start of my newly established one room, school room with my two students. My five year-old was entering Kindergarten and my two-year old was entering Pre-school. What was a woman to do? What should you do if you are just beginning this journey or maybe on the last leg of this journey? Pray! That is my best answer still.
I would love to tell you that our journey through raising children was smooth sailing. Wait let me tell you something you may be interested in knowing! This was not our first round with children! My husband and I had the honor to help contribute to the raising of his 15-year old sister. Her education landed on my shoulders; I took that on and was most serious about it! Some of those moments will simply have to wait for another blog post. She was a public-school prodigy. Our two babies, now eighth and ninth grade are currently attending public school. That too, will become topics for more blogs!
Labor Day ....... Yes, but as I close this brief post I am reminded that raising children is a labor of love and the real challenge to parents is to love their children! How does one tired, over committed mom do that? Love yourself first! Pray, pray, and pray some more........
P.S. In honor of our family tradition I must sign-off and apprentice my third generation of teenagers the meaning of Labor Day ...... Some old fashion perseverance in housekeeping! Look out closets here we come!!!
Go and make some melodies!
Till next time my coffee cup and mouse meet.....
Teresa
As I gaze upon my withering grass, that lacks moisture from the long hot, dry summer days that are passing I anticipate the new season that is approaching..... Autumn is on our heals and no matter your choice of education for this semester I cling tight to these words.....
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple. Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:1-31 NIV)
A most rare picture taken recently of our four children...... Was I allowed more than two chances at taking a great pic?! No, but a tiny moment of this journey is recorded.
