nsremom asks why I will homeschool through high school.  She is thinking about her future plans.  Maybe others are too.

I started this post a week ago and everytime I try I just can't seem to put it into words.  I guess I just can't imagine NOT homeschooling through high school. 

Home educating has turned into our lifestyle. That is such a popular phrase these days and I don't want to sound as if I am just repeating what "the crowd" says.  But is is the best way to describe what we do.  Home education is not just classes and credits.  Although those have thier place in our home.  It is also daily discussions.  It is opportunities that my sons would not have time for if they were in school 8 hours a day and then had homework two to three hours in the evening. 

It is having the time to take a wood turning class. It is having the time to take a shop class and build a trailer for our four wheeler.   It is having the time to go skiiing with our pastor, it is time to work with his dad on our property.  It is time to ride his bike or dink around in the shop carving or whittling. It is time to sit and read books by CS Lewis.  It is time to play chess with his little brothers.  It is time to take violin lessons and participate with our worship team at church.  It is time to take his youngest brother for walks.  It is time for......    the list goes on. 

Right now my oldest works 1 day a week.  He earns his own money and is learning the value of a dollar.  When he wants to buy something he thinks about how many hours it takes to earn that much money.   I have also been blessed by seeing him give to our church regularly with no prompting from me.   I see him putting money in the basket...... almost weekly.   If he were in school 8 hours a day I don't think I would want him working evenings.  That would leave him no time for family.   Work experience is benefitting him too much to give it up. 

Many worry about credits.  There are MANY books and websites out there to help with figuring credits and how to record daily living type experiences into classes. I personally like Senior High a home designed Form-U-la. (no I am not affiliated with her in any way.)   Here is a page with many free articles regarding the different issues of homeschooling through high school.    There are others too.    From what I read colleges regularly accept homeschool graduates with no problems.  I am not there yet so I can't tell from experience.   But I do know this, if the idea of recordkeeping is stopping you.   Don't let it!! 

Many worry about upper level math and science.    I say PRAY!!!   God will provide what you need.   I am not good at math.  I think I did pre-algebra but that is it.  I even went to college (quit before I got a degree) but I did not take math.  My husband also does not have upper level math.  Right now my son is going through Algebra with the help of our pastor who is a whiz at math.  I say it again GOD WILL PROVIDE!   There are classes on video or CD to help you. People in the church often have abilities that they are willling to share. 

I mentioned in an earlier entry  that we are considering using some resources from Francis Schaeffer.   I also mentioned this on HOMEschool Fellowship.   Someone e-mailed me that they have this resource and they are no longer using it and would like to give it to us.   Can you believe that!?!  I do not know this person other that reading her posts.  I say it again.   GOD WILL PROVIDE! 

I can't end this without pointing out all the things that my sons would have to deal with if I did choose to send them to PS.   This is getting long so I will not list them all here but just think of all the drugs/ sex/ peer pressure etc.   And don't even get me started on "socialization". We have much positive socialization! No my children are not isolated. 

Having said all this I also have to clarify that these are the reasons why WE homeschool.  I have learned over the past 9 years that I tend to get overly enthusiastic about what WE do.   I need to clarify that I truly believe it is between The parents and God.    If God is telling you to put them in school I am the last person to judge and I tell you follow God!   Always follow God!!  But don't let fear of the "establishment"or insecurity in your abilities stop you.  

Phillipians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, (not even high school)  but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. (Pray and then pray some more) And the peace of God, wich surpasses all comprehension, (oh how I want that!) will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally Brethren whatever is true , whatever is honorable , whatever is right, whtever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (This is what I want my sons to dwell on, can they do that in a PS setting?)  The things you have learned and recieved and heard and seen in me, practice these things and the God of peace will be with you. ( My sons will practice what they see in others around them,  who do I want them to emulate?) 

For someone who started out struggling with putting her thoughts into words I sure used a lot of them!  If you are still with me, thank you.  I hope this blesses you and encourages you to FOLLOW GOD.

Edited 4-16- Today I edited out a portion of this entry.  I realized that it is private information how much he gives to our church.  I don't think I would like that information about me to be made public so I apologize to him and you.  Suffice it to say he has been generous in his giving.