School Year Coming to an End!!!

WOW I CANT BELIEVE I AM SAYING THE SCHOOL YEAR IS COMING TO AN END
but it is.
We have about 3 more weeks in our home were done Friday June 12th 2009 woohoo.
not really outside of all the emotional changes our homeschooling journey has endured this year it has thankfully been the best year to this point as far as time wise and progression. I am though looking forward to a very laid back summer break we will read thoughout the summer through a few different reading programs but other than that we are on a break and will resume normal schedule Monday August 31,2009. I have to say we covered alot this year and if we missed something praying the Lord fills those gaps.
I have to say I would like to address a few commits I have received in the past few weeks about homeschooling not that I know it all I certainly do not however I have been at it for 13 years now and researched many things however I still learn daily and keep a teachable heart myself .I believe though many are researching and asking themselves is this for us next year or not and friends only God can and should answer this for you however if I can be used to encourage along the way then PRAISE GOD.
1) I was asked how I do it by someone whom is having a hard time? Well the answer to that is simple I am NOT doing it the Lord does it all with out Him in and of myself I can do nothing.
2) I was asked how we can afford it because it is so costly?? I HAVE TO SAY YES SOME CURRICULUMS are very costly however they are NOT the ONLY CURRICULUMS out there. I think we need to research what is best for our personal families we all may not BE USING what EVERYONE ELSE is using and friend's it is OK NOT ALL of our children are the same or learn on the same level and that too is ok that is the beauty of homeschooling we have that ability to individualize their curriculum to fit their exact needs how awesome is that????????
We have many resources and some are absolutly FREE you just have to search the internet but the time is well worth your effort. Also there are many book fairs and trading of curriculum or other's whom sale their's for a fraction of the cost you just have to do the homework. Also I will be VERY HONEST it is a financial sacrifice however I believe where God guides He also provides
the means for where He is guiding so if He has indeed called you to homeschooling He WILL provide your every need when you need it. We started homeschooling 13 years ago a full Pre/K
curriculum and He has provided every year after even the grim years where it looked absolutely
impossible REMEMBER NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH CHRIST and "I CAN DO ALL THINGS WITH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME."
Phil.4:13
3) I have been asked about schedules ??? Friend's this is VERY important Scheduling can look different in each household and I find this is very ok it is something we need to realize though thru the seasons needs to stay flexible leaving room for field trips, sports etc. however it is very important this is were in our family if we dont follow a pretty tight schedule the enemy gets in and we dont function well. Do we follow our household schedule perfectly all the time YEAH right I wish but it is always there to get us right back on track when we need it which is great.
4)Do you ever struggle with the choice to homeschool each year or do you just know??
This one is hard...................for our family back 13 years ago I NEVER could have imagined I would give up working and money to come home full time and then on top of it homeschool for the long hall. I will be honest I was digging my heals in fighting with God at first and really thought to myself ok I will do it for a couple of years but the long hall um yeah no sorry Lord and then I would just send them to school .........................................................................................Well
the Lord had a VERY DIFFERENT PLAN and I am blessed that I chose to obey that plan.
However we do struggle every year with the questions am I qualified, do they know enough, are they socialized enough, is this still Lord's plan, maybe I should go back to work to help support our large family, maybe kids would do better in public school, are they missing out on things,
and with those doubts every year the Lord assures us HIS long hall meant LONG HALL. So we do pray about it every year to make sure this still is what Lord wants for all 7 kids and we are flexible in knowing at ANY time the Lord may take us down a different path but for now we are called to continue on in what we started 13 years ago.
5) ARE YOU AGAINST PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS???? wow this was a tough question
I pray I have NEVER come across in a way anyone would feel as though I am judgemental or not in support of these types of schooling and if so I apologize not my intent ever.
I believe that Where ever God is calling you to place your children that is what I am all for.
I just read in a great book " The Mom Your Meant to Be" ch. 34 something great and profound and this is what I believe and hold to and encourage "There is no perfect SCHOOL" amen for that commit public schools, private schools, or homeschooling households are ALL ran by imperfect people and each place will have it's challenges and problems as well as it's benefits and blessings. I too as the author of this book said believe that the outside school's come with bigger problems however we cant stereo type every public school as being terrible. I do strongly urge parents of both public and or private schools to BE INVOLVED at the end of the day wether we homeschool or send them to school we are the responsible ones for what is going on in our kids lives we and only we answer to God for the raising of our gifts. I also want to strongly let you know Greg and I believe the best place for any child to be taught is in the center of the LORD'S WILL PERIOD. If it be His will to have you homeschool or send to school He will protect and they can shine where ever planted. We should support and not judge the decisions of our friends and families we are all called down very unique and Different Paths so may we embrace them all.
I have many more however need to run as well as this is already long enough so over the next few months leading into the next school year I will share as Lord leads and if you have any questions , concerns, commits please call , e-mail, or even stop by for pointers if you wish.
God Bless you all as you seek to follow the Lord's will in this area of your lives.
May the LORD MULTIPLY OUR EFFORTS AND GIVE US PEACE IN OUR HOMESCHOOL/PUBLIC SCHOOL/ PRIVATE SCHOOL JOURNEY'S AND REMEMBER WHEREVER OUR KIDDO'S ARE PLANTED TO "STAY INVOLVED" AND "TRUST GOD"
God Bless
Until Next Time,
cindy