My emotions as I begin to write this first assignment, and then in a few minutes will begin another year of teaching my children, are positive. They haven’t always been. I attended a private, church-run Christian school for eleven years of my schooling, and finished my final year at home. I knew before I found my husband that I wanted to homeschool. There wasn’t any other option for me. He wasn’t difficult to convince (thank you, Holy Spirit!), and so here we are. This doesn’t mean we’ve been without difficulty or struggles. I actually had my pastor’s wife plead with me to give it up (she had), that I would be overwhelmed and unable to manage. My feelings? Anger! Though initially I thought maybe she was right. But when I realized that she wasn’t, I was angry. I’ve been warned that it would be unwise to keep my autistic son home with me, that he wouldn’t progress well without the social interaction public school provides. I’ve been frustrated and discouraged, ready to throw in the towel. I have allowed the world’s definition of success, and particularly feminist ideals, to stir up discontentment, jealousy, and resentment. Last year I was in recovery from a c-section, kidney problems and also battling post-partum depression. I didn’t want to homeschool - I wanted to stay in bed!!! This is my fourth year of homeschooling, and I’m JUST getting my groove now. This is the first year I haven’t gone into the new school year wondering if I am doing the right thing, even dreading it. The thing is, I have struggled with a fear of man far too long. I’ve been receiving some counsel on other issues in my life, and have realized how much I have been affected by the opinions of others. This year, I have decided that I’ve had enough of that. My Lord has called me to have children (lots of them!), raise them in the admonishion and fear of Him, and to homeschool. I am gaining more and more confidence in this calling, and though many disagree and protest and nay-say, I will continue. My husband works in the public school sector, transporting special needs children, and though he was only public schooled, based on what he experienced and has seen of late, he wants none of it. He’s still learning about his role as a supportive father, but thanks to some teaching from Rick Boyer has come into a fuller understanding of his role as my husband and the father of these children as it pertains to homeschooling (I highly recommend the Boyers cd “The Hands-On Dad” if your husband is pro-homeschooling, but passively so.). This is the first year he’s made finances more readily available for me to invest in some quality products, books and curricula - thank you, Honey!!! My biggest goal for my children is that they learn to love the Lord with everything that they are, and to follow hard after Him. I want to see a strong faith develop in them that is from their own hearts, and not because Dad and Mom believe this. Academically, I want to see each pursue their strengths and interests - and I’m so excited to watch each one come into their own. I am excited and happy and content as we enter this new year. I want to learn more to have a meek, quiet, content, and joyful spirit. My heart has been torn in many directions, things that others have put on me, and now that I have, with the strength of Christ, shaken those things off, and walked away from them with purpose in my step, I am at peace.

Isaiah 30:15
For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.