Tag Archives: God’s Calling

Homeschool VS. Public School!!

Christianity, Grace, homeschooling, Love one another, mom, Parenting, simple spiritual lessons, Spiritual Encouragement, teachers, Teaching, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Homeschool Vs. Public School

Usually when VS.
appears between two subjects
there is a fight
or debate underway!

I must sound like an actual living, breathing oxymoron. One day I write about the public schools and the virtue of teaching. The next day I write about the virtues of homeschooling. Someone is going to be mad at me for something.  Oh well…..I speak from the heart!

Contrary to popular belief, they both hold the same desire for positive outcomes. Continue reading Homeschool VS. Public School!! →

The NEW Seedlings

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phototropism

Time in the garden has its moments!!

When I first started homeschooling, I was not completely confident in my ability to teach my own children.  Oh I knew that I truly had been called to do so, but I also heard a lot of negative from well meaning family members and friends.  “You cannot protect them forever”.  “They need to learn how to deal with the ‘real’ world.”  

Exactly.

Someone told me this story, and I cannot remember who it was or I would give credit.  It is probably not exactly how I heard it…but the same principle applies.

We start our plants from seeds.  The goal is for those seeds to grow into seedlings and then into the plant or vegetable to grow to full maturity.  We cultivate them when inside.  We make sure they get enough water, good soil and plenty of sunshine.  We move them from window to window if necessary, and even put them in a greenhouse.

We put them out.  Maybe too early, maybe not.  It is our first time growing our own plants, so it is a trial run really. The seedlings settle in the ground and the roots begin to grow.  Things are looking good!  Until…

The winds come, and the little seedlings get a bit unsettled.  The rain is so heavy and the seedlings have a hard time keeping their roots in the soil.  They are a bit wobbly.  Finally the rabbits raid the garden.  The roots are so battered, bruised, water logged….the rabbits win.  The seedlings are uprooted.  They did not last.  Maybe they were put out too early.

The next time we wait longer.  The roots are stronger and established.  Once planted in the garden they seem sturdy.  The rains come.  The wind comes, and those pesky little rabbits…but the roots stay firm.  The seedlings grow into strong sturdy plants.  They survive because their root system is strong enough to withstand all those issues!!  The storms rage and of course will come…but they stand.

So can we dare apply that to our children?  Can we put them in this old world too early?  We can train, teach and educate them until we feel we should.  We can go against what the world says…and follow the will of the Father.  It is not for everybody, but is it for you and your children? Are you called to educate your children? Only you can answer that question.

Trust me when I say…those storms will come and rage.  Your childrens’ root system will be tested.  Will their roots be strong enough?

Blessings dear ones~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

Hello? Who? “Homeschooling Calling”??

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Hello?  What?  Who?  Me?  Excuse Me?!

That is pretty much how it started.  Seriously.  I needed a direct call from God to convince me that I needed to homeschool.  Or at least a hit on the head by a two by four!

Be careful what you pray for.  

I had been a teacher in the public schools.  What would people think of me?  Would I ruin my kids’ lives?  They will be social outcasts, gulp, forever!! There was a lot to consider here.  In 1992 it wasn’t exactly a “popular” thing to do.  We were bordering on the edge of weirdness. 

A lot of my friends thought we were crossing a line.  It was okay to “talk” to God, and even “hear” from Him, but this was a pretty major situation.  I remember one friend even told me…..“You will never get a job in the public school system because it is an insult!  And what about sports, how will your boys ever compete?  I am worried about this Tammy.”

Oh well, wouldn’t be the first time I did something “weird,” it was just be the first time it had an effect on my children.  So back to the praying.  And never tell me God does not have a sense of humor.  

I had delivered some cookies to someone I did not know too well at the time.  She told me as I was leaving that she had felt led to homeschool her daughter.  Remember I did not know her that well?  I told her that my husband had wanted me to pray about it, but that I needed a “two by four” to hit me across the head.  She knew he would.  And he did.

Disclaimer***this is not my suggested way to look for answers from God***

I was crying when I arrived home.  I needed the quietest place in the house.  (Did I mention I had two boys, 6 and 4?)  I think I ended up in the shed or the end of our street, or somewhere like that!   I had my Bible in hand and I begged God to show me what to do.  

I knew the answer already, but I was bucking up against it big time!  I had to retain my reputation in the town!  I had always wanted to teach in my hometown. The boys?  I cannot mess them up Lord!!! What was I doing?  Lord, nooooooooooo!

Wait for it…..WHAM….the two by four.  I opened the Bible to 

Isaiah 54:4-13  “Do not be afraid, you will not suffer shame.  Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.  You will forget the shame of your youth.”  OK.  First whack!!

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.”  Second Whack!….

“Both your sons will be taught by the Lord and great will be your children’s peace.”WHAM, WHACK, WOW.  

So you see the picture.(Literally…weren’t they cute?)  I had no choice.  I had my confirmation.  Pretty clear to me.  More weeping ensued…throughout the years I might add…not an easy job! But more on that in later blogs.

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We started fall of 1992.  The eldest was homeschooled until his junior year of high school.  He then attended a private high school.  Our other son was homeschooled through seventh grade, eighth in private Christian school and attended a public high school. Both graduated with high school diplomas….and college diplomas…and the youngest received his master’s degree last year.  

I don’t think we ruined their lives.  We accepted the call, and I would do it all over again.  They both said that they are glad we homeschooled them, and they totally enjoyed telling students in their college courses they were homeschooled…just to get a reaction.  Yep, they picked up someone’s sense of humor in school!! Those kids pick up so much from their peers in school…..teehee

Everyone has a different story.  It is a calling, I truly believe.  And I hope I can encourage you in your journey. 

P.S.  I got a job in the public school system in my hometown 10 years ago.  I told you God has a sense of humor!

Blessings,

IN CHRIST ALONE
Isaiah 55:8-9

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