"High school is almost finished, and I still don't know what to do next." That was our graduating daughter last year. She is an excellent photographer, a great singer, writer, and in a nutshell, a smart girl. Her prevailing thought was to go to our local community college for photography and journalism. We applied for financial aid, and found that we qualified for nothing. We were in a financial bracket that didn't offer much. I wonder if other homeschoolers face this. We are living in a two income world, on only one income. We stretch the dollars, and there is nothing left for college. We don't like to go into debt. Yet we would have done whatever we could if we strongly felt that God wanted our daughter to go to college. He can provide for what He calls us to.   However, she was told by someone who had taken photography there, that she already knew everything they would teach her. She had taught herself with library books, and advice from other photographers (including her dad).  Journalism was simply the major she would need to fit photography into.

Honestly I (we) did not want her to go to a secular college - even our local community college. While visiting there, I was heading to the parking lot to find my car. Up the sidewalk, holding hands, was a mom and her (it appeared) 12-14 year old son. I thought "how odd, for a mom and son that age to be holding hands."  As they approached, I realized it was two women. How did I mistake such a thing? My eyes and brain are not used to putting that together, and they put together what would make more sense to my psyche. I got that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, and thought "I really don't want my children in this atmosphere." In addition, many stories that were coming to me from all different resources about the many unsavory situations that present themselves at secular (and too many Christian) colleges.  I heard about girls being stalked from class to class by guys, sexual harrassment, gay agenda in the classrooms, the liberal mindset pushed by teachers.

But that's the world, we'd better get used to it. Right? Well, we took issue with that line of thinking, as homeschoolers, didn't we? Government school is not the real world. In fact, it is nothing at all like the real world. But what about when our teens get to college? At some point, don't they need to get out in the world and see what it's like?  I would have to argue that college is no more like real life than public school is. These were all of the things that went through our minds as we tried to justify spending money we didn't have to send our daughter for a course she didn't need. Would the journalism be good for her? Yes, if it were truly a journalism course … but it is amazing how a journalism course can turn into a liberal agenda. I'd love for her to go for a course where you actually learn the material rather than someone's agenda. Maybe we could justify spending the money for something that would really be what you were hoping to receive.

At the end of June last year, we spent our traditional week at the Word of Life Family Campground. The Family Campground is part of a whole, large entity called "Word of Life" in Schroon Lake, NY. Part of Word of Life is The Bible Institute. "Ahhhh … that's what she is to do! Spend a year at the B.I.!" For a short time, it seemed the obvious answer. However, nothing should ever be the obvious answer. Everything must be taken to God and asked of Him "Is this your will, Lord?" Which we did. As we prayed and sought God, we began to sense an unsettledness about the whole thing. Don't get me wrong - Word of Life Bible Institute is a wonderful place that any parent could feel comfortable sending their teen to. But we were not getting that "YES!" that must come only from God.

So what do you do when the next step is not evident? You wait on God. You cannot move forward when you have not received the next instruction. By fall, an opportunity fell into Rebecca's lap to get a position with CareNet Pregnancy Center in their "Worth Waiting For" program. This meant that she would go into the public schools with a team and promote abstinence - saving all sexual activity for marriage - as the only safe way to approach sex. Our daughter was an answer to prayer for CareNet, and the teens in the schools have loved her. She is holding out a standard to youth that they would likely never hear otherwise. Imagine, an "unsocialized" homeschooled student going into the public schools and speaking? What does that say for homeschool? She has done a great job, and the experience she has gained has been priceless.  And it didn't cost us a dime!

When you are walking in God's will there is a knowing that comes with it.  There have been so many changes in our daughter in this past year. I am so thankful she has had yet another year with us at home. Walking through those changes, with her family right here, was exactly what she needed. As I continue to see her mature and grow, and we are available for prayer and counseling, I am more pleased all the time with the beautiful woman of God she is becoming. Next year? God seems to enjoy keeping us on the edge of our seats. We know He's been faithful in the past, and He never changes. He will continue to be faithful to lead the way, and that is the greatest lesson she is learning in all of this.  Taking life one year - no, one day - at a time, and trusting God.

Deb Turner (Pattycake) has been homeschooling for 20 years, and is thrilled to have yet another 10 to go.  She and her husband, Craig, have 5 children and 3 grandchildren.  They are very involved in their local church where Craig serves as an elder, and Deb serves as part of the worship team.  The whole family also ministers at a local nursing home, providing a church service twice a month and visiting with residents.   Craig works as a mechanical engineer, while Deb enjoys raising her children and loving up her grandchildren.  In addition, Deb enjoys writing, gardening, bread baking, and hopes to begin sewing once again, soon.

Related Tags: homeschool, high school, college, bible college, liberal agenda, Word of Life, CareNet, Worth Waiting For