Aug. 31, 2008 - Update on our family
Been a while since I blogged. Mostly I post pictures of the kids. Thought I would update everyone on our school year. Lots of changes, lots of prayer.
Last year Ethan and Faith went to a Christian pre-school and loved it. This was a first for me and hard to let go of the homeschool environment we love and are used to. I have been working full time and this really was better for the kids.
Now fast forward to this year and Faith is now at the same school and going five days a week. She cant wait to go to school and already knows both of her teachers as they were Ethan's last year.
Ethan is in Kindergarten at a public school close to our house and he loves it. The teacher seems to really like him. He loves to learn and loves the whole backpack and homework thing. :)
Joel and I have been doing one on one work and all kinds of different therapies for years and he has made great progress with his sensory problems and his dyslexia. We really feel he needs more than we can give him. We have been praying and decided to put him in public school, the same school as Ethan. He is in a 5th grade class. We have prayed for the right teachers and friends. God has been so faithful. I will not say this has been easy for any of us to get used to, especially Joel. He has to work ten times harder than the other kids but he is such a trooper. He is so resilient. So far he has had 4 tests and has made A's on all of them. This has really made him feel good.
Last but not least, Kara and Rebecca are taking classes on-line with the Florida Virtual School. They are both working hard and have the accountability we need. Rebecca is taking two honors courses.
Emotionally this has been really hard for me as a mom. I realize a great deal of my identity was as a "homeschool mom". It is hard to be less involved in their education. I am transitioning to a PTA mom which I never thought I would.
The other day I was having a great guilt trip about if I was better at managing our home I would not have to work. I was really beating myself up and worrying about the kids. God very clearly spoke to me and asked if the scripture was true that "He works all things together for those who are in Christ and are called according to His purpose"? He asked me if I believed that and if He could even work through my mistakes.
He is so faithful. It is not about me. He is showing me areas of pride that I have had toward public school and the families that send their kids there.
For this "church lady" this is a really time of growing and great new opportunities to reach out with the love of Jesus to those at work and now at two different schools.
I am truly on my needs in prayer and in thanks.
Sorry so long, thanks for listening.
Comments
Sep. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MamaMary
Oh Hol,
You are a WONDERFUL Mama! The scripture that comes to mind is from Hosea 8:6, "This Calf you crafted by your own hands. It is NOT God; therefore it MUST be smashed to bits"!
Homeschooling can become just as much an idol as food, money, music, tv, computer, phone. We wrap our identity up in being this homeschool mom.
I know your heart, I know your husband, I know your children and I know that all of you LOVE your Lord! It just doesn't matter that your children are going to public school. You are still the same family, the same parents and most importantly Christ is still sitting on that throne. He is there with them.
Do not be afraid my dear friend, for you are DEEPLY loved by God, be at peace, take heart and be STRONG! Daniel 10:19a
I love you,
Mary
