This is the last in my series on Family Goals. Some things may not make sense because I have phrases that are familiar only to us, but perhaps it will make sense in context. And I have to say that these things are suggestions even to us. I write to inspire myself, but I know it is God's way of working through me to guide me. So that is the real vision, that our lives are lead daily by our Heavenly Father.

This references FAMILY Goals, my post in Process Learning our version of Thomas Jefferson Education

Investigating my Interests,

• We must learn to broaden our interests and continue our education. When we do weekly “present your doings” (everyone shares his “doings”) we are being exposed to many different learning interests and can develop a respect for other people’s interests. Breadth and Depth!

Investment Intelligence

• It would be good, in the Love of Learning phase, to teach the saving of money and careful purchases. Later in Scholar phase this is covered in a formal manner through using home study courses or curriculum such as the stocks course, real estate books, internet sources and other business books. Better yet find a mentor. Again, this may be an area that does not come naturally as an interest or may not be “fun” or a Love of Learning topic. But we can learn to have a love of learning if we understand the outcome of our efforts has rewards – in this case Financial Freedom. (for us that is no or low debt other then business debt, and not trading hours for dollars so we have the freedom of time.) This doesn’t come easy, it takes work. We can meet this goal with our continued efforts in maturity and management so we will accept the responsibility for further study and commitment to make the investments.

Love to Learn,

• Our goal for Love to Learn is more than just our interests. As stated elsewhere, we must accept that learning becomes broader and deeper as we see the value to things around us. Learning what to learn is important. We should learn to ask God for direction in our learning as he will open pathways to follow. God can give us a desire for learning that we can’t find within ourselves.

Learn to Love,

• Hanna was the one who suggested this goal long ago when we wrote these. At first I thought it was cute, but not needed. Now I see how important it really is. It gives us peace to have love in our hearts. How simple it is to remember the verse: God is love.

Learning my Life’s purpose

• If we are seeking God’s will for our life, we will see our pathway open before us. We can live day by day trusting that our Heavenly Father cares for us. A prayer to God for His will in our life will help us here. Now that Dad is working at home and we are building home businesses this is even more important. Our goal is go help our children realize there own potential and purpose in life.

Y – Why do I homeschool? F-A-M-I-L-Y!

When I have doubts about this pathway it would be good to review our FAMILY goals and see if we are off course. It is hard to stay the course and often there will be weariness and doubts. But our goals give us direction, so we must continually check to see we are doing everything we can to reach these goals. Sometimes I wonder if I plan too much and do too little. I remind myself that this is part of the process and if I keep my trust then the pathway will continue to open before us. I also believe that we are building a foundation now. This can be pictured as a root system that doesn’t show much growth above ground. When the time comes I believe the children will grow outwardly “in the way they should go” if proper training of the self is done now. Our fundamental goal is to nurture the hearts and souls of our children – not to produce a product that we can grade or to which we apply a point system. I don't want to focus on my pride in them, but rather that they are living in the gifts and confidence that God gave them.

Stay the course!