Women Helping Women

 

 Last weekend I enjoyed a ladies retreat at my church with a dear friend. The topic of the weekend was "Women Helping Women."  One of the wonderful lessons from the great Biblical teaching was on discipleship and mentoring in our everyday walks of life. A beautiful testimony was given by one of the ladies. She welcomed us to join her in a look back at her spiritual journey from young girl to adult mom, and the women that impacted her life. This made me think about the lovely radiant women our Lord has put in my life to draw me closer to Him and His Kingdom.

One of those mentor women in my life is Allie Jones. I have had the privilege of teaching with her at our home school classes for the past 4 years. I also attended church with Allie, and have seen her and her family make a marvelous difference for the Lord. She has 5  terrific children, who have a heart for God. She has given me much wise godly advice and help along the way in the 7 years I have known her, like she has many moms. I would like to include part 2 of the "Encouragement for Home Schooling Through High School" series I began last month. Below is dear Allie's response. I know it will encourage you as it did me.

But before I do I just want to spend just a moment recognizing my much cherished and admired mom. I can't mention mentorship without her. We had some hard news this week about her health. She is a  most precious mom and grandmother. I do not know anyone with a more generous nature. In our home, as I was growing up, my Mama was a glorious picture of a child of our Lord as she depended on her caring Heavenly Father in everything. Many times, during my childhood, I would find her on her knees praying beside her bed. She often had tears as she sang of the marvelous grace of Jesus during the church services (I have inherited that from her :).  So grateful for the example she has been to me in her absolute faith and trust in our great God.

Please enjoy this letter from one of my sweet mentors, Allie Jones:

Dear Homeschool Mom,

The choice to homeschool your kids was a BIG one!  However, the closer you get to teaching high school it seems even BIGGER and fear sets in.  Many questions arise such as: "Will my kids be able to handle college? Will they get into college? Will I explode?

However, don't let fear control your thoughts. Go back to the day you and your husband decided to homeschool.  Why did you decide to homeschool?  Do you feel it is what God wants you to do or are you homeschooling for other reasons?

I understand your concerns and your weariness! I have 5 kids and have homeschooled for 16 years. It has not been easy, but has been well worth it for my family and I want to encourage you. YOU CAN DO IT WITH GOD'S HELP!  When you start to have doubts about continuing homeschool through high school, it might be helpful to reassess the reasons why you chose to homeschool in the beginning.

As for our family, there are two main reasons we chose to homeschool: to teach the Bible daily to our kids and to give our kids an individualized education so they can flourish to glorify God.

First of all, the Bible says in Deuteronomy 6:4-7 to teach your children the Bible diligently at all times:

⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

⁶ “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Homeschooling, although not the only way, is an excellent way to accomplish this command.  If the kids are away all day at school, it is hard to give them a Biblical foundation.  Also, Christian curriculum taught at home can help reinforce Bible teaching.  To me, this is the most important aspect for our kids' education.  It is our duty to teach them their Biblical foundation.  A Biblical foundation gives them the gospel to stand on and will keep them from wavering when life brings storms. That is the ultimate education! Storms typically come in the teenage years.

Another way to contribute to this Biblical foundation is to be involved with a good support group of Christian friends who are like-minded and can encourage you and your kids as they grow.  This can be found be in your church, homeschool support groups, and in outside homeschool classes (co-ops).  I strongly feel that this interaction with other Christians who are like minded is vital to both mom and student and is needed to keep everyone balanced.  There will be plenty of time later to adjust to the world and we need this consistency of Christian support while our kids are building their foundation.

Homeschooling has also allowed my family to grow together rather than apart, especially during the teen years.  I have five children ranging in ages from 21 years to 12 years.  My older three chose to go to UTA and live at home. Therefore, my kids are all very close and we have frequent dinners together.  It is fun to see my 12 year old daughter adore her 21 year old brother who is in college.  They have a wonderful relationship despite the age difference. 

The second reason my family home schools is the individualized instruction it provides.  It does work!  I have three kids so far that have done well in college.  My college kids have not had any problem transitioning into the academic world from homeschooling. My daughter just graduated with a degree in accounting and has entered the work force as a "normal" adult.

Yes, the student does have to be motivated, but the mom's job is to be diligent in the instruction part. 

This does not mean that mom has to be knowledgeable in all areas of high school study! Therefore, I highly encourage the use of outside classes for homeschoolers in high school.  The key is to find a good co-op or teachers that are skilled in the subject matter and to attend classes at least once-a week.  This gives the student accountability to others and teaches them to schedule and reach deadlines. This also provides independence from mom and allows the student to get ready for the next step, whether it is college or a job.

Several years ago, at a homeschool book fair, I was greatly encouraged by a speech by Jay Wile (Apologia Science).  He spoke on homeschooling through high school and said that high schoolers needed to be doing more independent work, which greatly relieved me because I was feeling guilty for not spending as much time teaching with my older students as my younger ones. My older son confirmed this one day when he said that the independent work he did during homeschool and the co-op classes he took are what helped prepare him best for college work.

Another important aspect associated with the success of the academics in homeschooling depends on mom's diligence.  Keeping a consistent schedule and taking academics seriously is vital.  Remember, we are ambassadors for Christ and need to glorify Him in all we do.  (1 Corinthians 10:31) This is not an area to be slack in and will affect your child in the future, but more importantly affects our witness for Christ.

So, how do you continue to homeschool through high school without fear? You rely on God to help you accomplish this and lots of prayer!  I was scared to death when I started and still get scared when the next kid gets closer to college, but the Lord has enabled me to continue. 

I have found that if I approach it from God's viewpoint as being diligent and obedient to teach His word, it is a lot easier.  Some verses that help me to keep going are:

Galatians 6:9:

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Don’t let fear grab a hold of you. Don't be a Jonah and go the opposite way. If you strongly feel this is what God is wants you to do, He will give you the strength.

 God promises not give us more than we can bear. I Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Joshua 1:6-9: Be strong and courageous. Meditate on God's word day and night.

⁶ Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. ⁸ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Finally, I would like to mention several resources that have helped me while homeschooling through high school:

1.       The Home School Legal Defense has a website with very helpful information about homeschooling through high school.  The website is: http://www.hslda.org/highschool/.  You don't have to be a member to access this website. (However, I highly recommend supporting this group.  They work hard for our freedoms and are there to help if needed in court.)

2.       Homeschooling: The Right Choice by Christopher Klicka is an excellent source of information about homeschooling and includes academic, historical, practical, and legal perspectives.

3.        A Mom Like You by Vickie and Jayme Ferris is a great book of encouragement for homeschool moms.

4.       The National Home Education Research Institute provides statistical information about the results of homeschooling which supports proof that it does work. Their website is: http://www.nheri.org.

Thank you, Allie!!!