Assignment: Take time this week to write about YOU and your feelings of trials and triumphs with homeschooling.  Touch on when you first heard about the concept of home schooling and whether you tip-toed into the idea or just jumped in and never looked back.  Share your schooling as a child and how you compare it to what your goals are for your children.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Homeschooling. Where did it all start for me?

2^nd Grade.

I am not sure exactly where my parents first heard of  homeschooling but I know that by the time I had finished 1^st Grade in public school they were ready to try it. Mom did the research about what the laws were for our state and what curriculum to buy and where. At the time the recommendation she was given was Abeka and Bob Jones. From there she went to a more eclectic and almost unschooling style. My sister and I loved it, even if we gave Mom fits at times.She is still homeschooling my brother who is now in high school. She's my hero and I'm so thankful to her for all her hard work with us kids! Thank you, Mom!!

I enjoyed attending homeschool support group meetings with Mom. Most of the time we kids had our own activities or I would sit and man the table where we sold things that my Mom and sister and I had made. Sometimes I even sat in on the meetings with Mom. For me, it was these meetings and the hundreds of conversations my Mom let me listen in on as she discussed what she was learning about teaching children at home with her friends and my Dad.

I knew that if I ever had children that I would teach them at home if at all possible. I praise the Lord for the husband God gave me and that we are able to work together and support each other in this journey of homeschooling. I am also so thankful for the option of homeschooling here on the mission field. It is something that works so well for us no matter where we go.

I have been trying to remember any specific thing about starting school at home with my oldest, Dane. He was such a sharp little thing from day one so really, homeschooling began much sooner than kindergarten. I remember him loving puzzles and talking! It seems like I spent a LOT of time researching what curriculums were out there. So much  had changed since I was Dane’s age and there was MUCH more to choose from than Abeka and Bob Jones.

I remember finding the homeschool want ads section on VegSource.com and spending a lot of time finding just the right deal on the books I wanted. My Mom was also a huge help to me as I started preparing to teach Dane. Since my brother is several years ahead of Dane she was able to hand down some books for us to use.

My Aunt also was able to give me some good recommendations and loaned books to us as well. We started using AlphaPhonics at first. Dane latched onto learning to read. That was one of the funnest parts for us I think.

When we moved to Peru and began language study I quickly realized that we all needed to just focus our schooling on learning Spanish and the Peruvian culture. Since we first moved to Peru I have gone through times when all the work of settling in and learning a new language and culture has made me feel guilty for the time it sometimes takes away from schooling. But I have been learning that God had things for my kids to learn that could not be learning in books during those times and have realized that no matter what others' opinions around me may be on education, God has shown Shane and I what he wants US to do at any given time with our kids and I don't ever need to feel bad about that!

These past 6 years since we moved here have been such a learning experience for me not only in my personal life but also in regards to homeschooling. Through struggles and triumphs I have come to discover just how each of my kids learn best. Which curriculums or methods work and which ones don’t, and a lot about how God teaches them in spite of me!

There are some things that we do differently than when I was homeschooled. But mainly because my kids are not me and my sister and brother and we are our own family with different tastes and styles. I continue to find encouragement from my Mom, my sister (who now homeschools her kids) and others in our family and circle of friends who homeschool. I have also found many encouraging websites and from those,  new friends online whom God has used to help me along the way. We are one of the only missionary families homeschooling in this area and it has been so encouraging to be able to connect with other Moms around the world and know that I am not the only one who struggles or finds joy in something relating to teaching my children at home.

We have also been blessed by several homeschool families who have sent us books to expand our library (no libraries around here with books in English! We have to make grow our own! . One dear friend in particular sent us several boxes full of used books on subjects she knew we were studying or would be studying. She went home to heaven a few months ago and I will always be reminded of her every time we open one of the books she sent and the years she invested in the lives of her children and many others. She was such an encouragement to me in our first years of homeschooling.

Here’s an idea of how our library has grown because of the generosity of our friends. We are happy to be able to share them with other English speaking families who live here sometimes.

For most of this month we will be focusing mainly on reading and doing activities as a family. Really that will carry over some into next month as well since it will be our vacation time too. So I have been reading aloud to the kids or they spend time reading to each other and that usually leads to creative playtime every morning.

I am slowly preparing books and a plan for school. I say SLOWLY because I have been needing to get some rest this month. The kids have been enjoying the more relaxed pace these days and I have seen more of their creative side because of it. We are all learning a lot about what it means to be kind to one another and be good examples to those who are younger than us.