Now that we have made some serious decisions about church. We are faced with the infamous question, "Now what?". You can decide to find a family friendly church, but what if there isn't one? You can decide to take your kids out of children's church, but you have the hard task of telling them they don't get to go back to their friends,  the candy, and the video games offered there.

 You wonder if you heard God at all as you face the reality of your choices, and wonder, how is this crazy thing we are doing going to work at all?

 Then God proves he is God. He shows you that he won't call you to do something and not equip you.

 Today I got a phone call from the leader of our homeschool support group. We started talking, and the topic of church came up. Would you beleive they are in the process of starting a "Vision Forum" type church! WOW! What an answer to prayer! What timing!

 Then we had a conversation with our children about what we felt God was leading us to do. I figured my 4, 6, and 8 year old would be fine, but we were ready to hear a huge fit from our 10 year old daughter. As we expected, she broke down in tears, but what we didn't expect was what she would tell us next. She told us that she felt like she  couldn't be herself at church, and if she didn't act or dress a certain way she would be judged harshly. She said she was so happy she didn't have to go back. Her tears were tears of relief! WHOA! I would have never thought. She is looking forward to not having to live up to her secular peers. It was torment to her soul.

 God is so good. Who knew taking this little step would open up such immediate fruit in our lives. God has confirmed this direction for my family, and I am at peace.

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Jan. 26, 2007 - Yea!

Posted by Fringey

Is this not like our God! How wonderful He is! Thank you for taking us through this journey with you so we can praise Him together! He is TRUSTWORTHY -and He proves it again. I am so glad about your 10 year old- it means she gets it to an extent! This is great! I am so excited for you-

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Jan. 26, 2007 - Our God is AWESOME

Posted by SeekingJESUSnTeachingKIDS

I have been reading your blog since I started on HSB in July. I thought maybe God wants them to change churches on a few occassions I would read them and then pray for direction for you and your family. I have to say after praying for you since Summer, I am so glad that God has shown you His plan. About your daughter, her reaction so shows the fruit of your labor and her desire to live a Holy life. Great job for you and your husband to stay committed seeking God and His ways. What a wonderful testimony!!
:>Michelle

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Jan. 27, 2007 - Difficult choices

Posted by authorDonna

I remember well the struggles our girls faced in our church youth group. They were shunned for their differences and treated with little respect. Some of it was their own faults I must admit. They didn't hesitate to flaunt the benefits of home schooling to their peers who resented that they couldn't have that kind of stability. Many of them commented on that in later years. But even still--our daughters had difficult choices to make during that time. They battled with us from time to time over what they didn't get to have or do. We stuck to our guns and now they see that it was the right choice. We weren't so fortunate as to have a home schoolers church and I found it sad that a place that is supposed to be a haven for believers was a place of torment for my children. On the positive side--it DID build character. They learned to rise above their peers in this area. You will find many naysayers (our pastor even thought we were wrong) but the proof will come eventually.

Donna Fawcett
Author of Thriving in the Home School
Donna Dawson
Author of Redeemed and The Adam & Eve Project
recipient of Word Alive Press' top author promotion
www.inscribe.org/donnadawson
www.freewebs.com/donnadawson
www.blogger.com/christianfictionnovels

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Jan. 27, 2007 - WoW!

Posted by castlekids

What an answer to prayer! It sounds so much better than what your kids were dealing with at your former church. I pray that the new church will work out well for your family.

Unfortunately I have recently read disturbing things about Doug Philips of Vision Forum and his church.

~Jenny

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Jan. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by grace4gayle

The confirmation was AWESOME! God is so good. I do get a few chills at the thought of a new small home church, as I'm sure you know why. So tread gently there my friend, but rejoice in the confirmation God gave you about not participating in "kids church".

Gayle

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Jan. 29, 2007 - so glad

Posted by rachelle

to hear that you've found peace in your decision. God is good!

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Jan. 30, 2007 - Thank you God

Posted by Anonymous

Blessed2BMom's dh again...We worship a truly awesome God! I thank you Lord for sending a new church your way. I pray that the new church will help you and your family grow closer to the Lord. Please tell your 10 year old that I'm so proud of her and tell her to be herself at church...a loved child of God.
I'm sure there will be bumps along the road, but I'm so thankful the Lord has given you a solution.
God Bless!
Carl

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Jan. 31, 2007 - God is so good!

Posted by EEEEMommy

How marvelous! Of course God knew what was going on in your daughter's heart, and He was so faithful to lead you and your husband and now to give you this new opportunity! I will be praying that God would continue to lead you in establishing a church that will honor and glorify Him as well as feed the families who join you! May you be able to freely worship Him in spirit and in truth, as a family!

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