Homeschooling the Last Child

For 30 years I have been a homeschooling mom.  Early on my husband was not on board with homeschooling, but I really didn't listen to him.  I knew it was the right thing for our child at the time, and I ignored all of his concerns.  Over the years he came to appreciate the homeschooling lifestyle.  We were able to travel, study and spend time with family more than other families.  It allowed us the ability to really know our children, and to find the perfect method for each to learn and grow to their abilities.

I have used a variety of homeschooling curriculum.  From Abeka, Saxon Math, Bob Jones, and more.  When I first began I did "school at home".  I had a classroom set up; we did the pledge and wore uniforms (we had them from private school).  Four kids later and 30 years we are a little more lax. Okay, a lot more lax.  I talk to my kids and find out what their interests are, and we tailor their education around those interests.  For example, my eldest son was special needs so we focused on reading, writing and basic math and threw in golf which he loved.  As they get older I give them a schedule of work for the week, and they finish at their speed, if they complete early they have the rest of the week to pursue their individual interests.  

My second child, a daughter started out interested in sharks and by high school she was totally invested in the Civil Air Patrol.  We used their lessons in Aerospace Science, History, Cyber Patriot, writing and testing for rank assignments as her primary curriculum for her high school years.  It was a very positive experience.  Her senior year she applied for a Leadership Academy to go to Washington D.C. for two weeks to tour our Nation's Capitol and meet with Senator Ted Cruz.  Part of the qualification process was to read the Federalist Papers and complete a variety of essays over selected material.  She applied and was accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy.  Currently, she is a stay-at-home mom pregnant with her fourth child and running her own lucrative business.

My third child, another daughter expressed an interest in Conservation and Wildlife very early.  She was our family hunter.  She solely supplied our household with venison for almost ten years. At fourteen she applied for the Summer Naturalist Youth Program at the San Antonio Zoo.  The first year she worked only the summer but due to her positive work ethic she was selected for the year round program.  She worked this program for 5 years until graduating and attending the College of the Ozarks where she will be graduating this December with a BS in Conservation and Wildlife Management.  As part of her curriculum, we used the Animal Science textbooks from the Exploring Creation series.

Last, but not least my youngest son is very interested in Conservation but also farming and being a farrier.  We will be signing him up at the local community college for a farrier course, then welding. He is 16 so not really certain what his future holds, but he has options.  I have been encouraging him to hold off on marriage and children, and pursue something he is really interested in doing, instead of being stuck in a job he hates to support a family.  Life is too short to be unhappy in a job.  I really hope he chooses to farm our land, but we will see.   

I am the director of a local library where we have our local homeschooling group out of... we are in transition as our children are growing, but our community is tight, and we love helping new homeschoolers.  We have a homeschool resource room at the library and provide free, used homeschooling curriculum to anyone in need, as well as tutoring opportunities and field trips.  

I am a very outspoken advocate for homeschooling.  I firmly believe that it would benefit ALL students and is vastly superior to any other type of education.  This isn't a popular sentiment, but my children have participated public, private and home schooling opportunities, and homeschoolings is the only one that offers the freedom to choose and tailor an education for a child.  

Testimony

**I found this old blog post in the DRAFTS and decided to publish it. It is from 2012.

In my congregation, we are being challenged to look for opportunities to live out the Great Commission.  Over the past 20 years, I am ashamed to say, I haven't told others how to accept Christ, as often as I should have, and I would like to apologize.  The thought that there are many who I haven't told, and they will end up in hell one today is very troubling to me.  I have used the excuse that I don't meet any non-Christians in my daily life, or not many.  I home school, and the homeschoolers around me are already Christians, plus I go to church.  That is about it.  Realizing that being so lackluster isn't an excuse.

I am resolved to look for opportunities to share the Gospel and my testimony so that the Kingdom of God can be advanced.  Please be in prayer for me as I forge ahead in obedience. 
I struggle daily in my own personal walk with God, so prayer in that regards would also be appreciated.

I'd like to share my testimony, or the story of how I accepted Christ.  I hope it will encourage you, and point you in the right direction.

I've always been ashamed that my conversion5 experience was so vanilla.  I mean, I've never used drugs, I am not a recovering alcoholic or a prostitute.  Nothing so dramatic.  I was fortunate to have been raised in the church my entire life.  I remember my mom and grandma Bobbe taking me to church.  I loved AWANA, and memorizing scripture. I loved reading the Chronicles of Narnia and Pilgrim's Progress out of the church library, and my all time favorite the Charity Ames series. 

At the age of six we attended Maranatha Independent Baptist Church in Oxon Hill Md.  A movie titled "The Burning Hell" was being shown, and due to it's graphic nature my parents placed me in the nursery.  I snuck out.  I commando crawled all the way to the front to watch the movie.  I was scared to death!  I was the first one down when the Pastor gave the altar call.  I remember asking Jesus into my life, and I remember being baptized in December 1975 in a freezing cold church and baptistry.  I can see my mom, Grandma Bobbe and my Great Mommy (great grandma Elsie) sitting in the front row.  I am sure there were others there, but in my mind that is all I remember. It was so cold; they were wearing their coats inside.

Sad to say from the age of six until I was 19, I didn't grow much spiritually.  I accepted Christ, and thought that was the end, not knowing it was just the beginning.  At 19 I was married and had a baby by 20.  It was at his baby dedication on Mother's Day 1989 that I realized I was promising to raise this child up to know the Lord, and I didn't know how to do this at all!  I was very frantic in my mind and began seeking all sorts of information on raising godly children, plus reading my Bible more.  This timing was actually from God, because you see I would be going through some very difficult times ahead, so being so gung-ho to learn more about the Word of God kept me sane during these times.  My baby was premature and had many health-related issues.  I was young, and easily led by doctors, something for which I regret now, but it is what it is.  My husband and I went through some very tough times over the years, but thankfully God intervened, and we have been married for almost 24 years.

God has been there for me in the raising of a disabled child and seeing him a man is awesome for me.  A man in body, though not in mind, is very heartbreaking for me, and frustrating for me.  I don't know the plans God has for him, but they are for good and not evil, and I daily trust in that..God has brought us this far, and he will continue to watch over my "little one" (my 6 foot, 240 lb little one).

I have been through persecution in a previous job, even losing that job because of my convictions and faith.  Marital strife, health, financial, loss of a loved one.  Everything that anyone else faces.  Each situation has drawn me closer and closer to the Lord.  Relying upon God to guide me has been my source of strength, and I can honestly say I wouldn't be here if I had not accepted Christ at a young age.  I am a weak, and sinful person, and knowing that God is with me is the ONLY thing that gets me through the situation.  Often times walking through the valley (rough times) is unbearable, it isn't until I am on the other side that I realize what I have learned.  I do wish that God didn't think so much of me that he continues to give me learning experiences. ;-)

I know that God loves me, and I am thankful every day that he used my disobedience to bring me to salvation.

Growing up my favorite verses were "for unto us is born this day in the city of David, a savior, who is Christ the Lord" and "For God so loved the World (me) that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish (die) but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved."  John 3:16-17

I urge you today to take God's free gift, acknowledge that you have sin in your life, and that you need Him.  Believe that He sent His son to die on the cross for you and confess those sins to Him.  Ask him to come into your life and make you whole.  Give yourself over to Him, and you will be AMAZED at what wonders He works in your life if you let him. 

One Year

 It has been one year since my husband passed.  It has been a year of firsts.  Some good and some bad.

Had a 30 yard dumpster delivered this past week.  Son and I will be working on clearing the gooseneck trailer off trash and scrap metal.  I have someone interested in purchasing.  Hopefully, they will.  

I have been mentally thinking and sorting my belongings, and it is time to physically get started.  I am finding it difficult to begin.  I am torn between leaving this property and the house my husband built us, though I had plans to move before he passed.  I feel stuck. Do I move? Don't I move?  I keep praying and asking the Lord for direction.  Trying to be still to listen.  Either way this house needs decluttering, cleaning and minor repairs.

Financially, I would like to sell.  Personally, I don't want to, though at the same time I yearn for my little cabin in the Ozarks.  I need peace.  I am always anxious to go to the cabin, but there is so much work to be done here.  If I didn't have these animals, I would leave the house here for awhile.  I have one pig that needs to be butchered, and two elderly horses that need care.  Plus, 4 dogs and about six cats. The last of the cattle have been butchered, and the bees have been removed.  I do need something else in order to keep my agricultural exemption for tax purposes.

My youngest daughter married Thanksgiving week 2024.  She started her Senior Year of College January 2025.  She finishes her coursework in December of this year.