In each year of our homeschooling journey - our focus has become more and more refined.  We began with the simple, yet worthy purpose to protect our children from the cruelity of other children - and selfishly, to avoid long hours of homework during our precious evenings.  A good start I suppose, but from where we started - God had a long way to lead us to His final destination - a place on the map called "Obedience".  Who were those two selfish and immature Christians?  But, my mind could not have grasped Gods plan back then.  I've had to wander the desert following His Cloud and Smoke in order to understand His purpose.  I am saddened, yet so thankful - that through homeschooling, the truths of the Old Testament have been revealed to me so I can teach them to my children and perhaps their purposes will be discovered in their young lives so that they can be momentum in of the revival in America. 

This revelation of who we are as God's children has caused me to gradually dump my ideas of what home education looks like and turn to God for the truth.  In my seven years of homeschooling God's plan for teaching my children the truth has been shown to me in this order - sometimes gracefully and others with a thump on the head:

1. Textbooks, Workbooks and other "packages" are not God's plan for my family
2. Pagan holidays and other customs should not be part of our curriculum or a focus for our family.  Yes, we still celebrate Christmas - but Santa , the Easter Bunny and other holiday characters have been virtually erased from our home and school.
3. Government has no place in our homeschool or in raising our children.  After a two year stint in a homeshool Charter school - we went back out on our own, rejecting money and guidance.  This act was not painful because we lost financing or guidance - I was quite happy to be rid of both of those "monkies" around my neck.  What hurt tremendously about rejecting the Charter school was that it required me to step out on my own - withouth the support of my friends and social network.  My actions were controversial and considered by some as abandonment and even, fanatical.  Who knew I was a fanatic?
4. AWANA is not a substitute for Bible teaching in the home.  Shocking, I know. 
5. Bible Teaching must be the core of our school.
6. Bible Teaching must be the core of our school.  (It took me a couple of years to fully understand what this meant for our family and while I might understand it now - I'm still executing it.  No easy task!)
7. I love history and all the opportunities it offers our family to do "projects" - but these projects can (in some cases) be considered a celebration of things "not of God" - humanistic in nature.  I must carefully evaluate all we do - and ALWAYS tie it back to God's word.  If it does not reinforce what God is teaching us through our Bible training and education - then it is not a worthy project.  I must refine our History studies even further. 
8. Science has a bigger role in our school that I thought.  I confess, I hate science as it is presented in traditional school.  The focus our school systems places on science is a celebration of man's knowledge and I have found it disgusting and thus rejected it.  God has shown me that teaching Science from His perspective is worship and essential for us to understand who we are.  It is a key part of our Christian foundation, but in my home it must be taught entertwined with the Bible.  I must bring the study of science captive under God's word.  Having done that this year - with the help of Considering God's Creation, I am ready to jump in deeper.  This is a very exciting part of our school now.
9. Character Training is paramount.  This is the ONE that I am most disappointed I didn't learn first.  If I had understood how important this is and DONE it, my homeschool and home would be so much more peaceful and pleasant.  My one great consolation is that through my trials - I can teach young mothers "what not to do".  I was so anxious to start "school", that I neglected to shape their characters in that moldable time.  Granted, I have younger children and more chances to do it right - but bad parenting habits are hard to break.  I am not without hope - or God's grace.  I will press on with character training.
10. And the tenth thing God has brought into focus during these seven years is that education for educations' sake is not our purpose.  Our mission is to raise Christians of character who are obedient to Christ and His call to serve.  Certainly, as parents we must educate our children and prepare them to serve in whatever capacity He has for them. But their character and foundation is my priority. 

To be honest - I have no idea where exactly God is leading us as we prepare our children to be independent and self-sufficient.  I do know the promises God gives - for following Him - so that is what I will continue to do. Follow Him - eyes wide, ears open and hands lifted high.

When the world creeps in - with talk of college prep and credits and all that - I can begin to doubt.  Can I really train them God's way and prepare for them a transcript worthy of college application?  Yes. Yes.  I've seen it done - and He promises!  Not in so many words - but the verse that comes to mind first is "for I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jer. 29:11 

I recognize that while many people totally get what I'm saying and came to this conclusion long ago - many do not.  I would hope that by sharing the path God has lead me on I have not judged anyone else.  God reveals His plan to each of us according to His timing.  May you have peace if you are where God has led you - and if not - I pray that you seek out His will for your family and your homeschool.  This is a journey.