Saturday, December 04, 2010

So Proud - So Hard

I won't say much as typing a post on the i pad is considerably slower typing for me!

We are so proud of our adult children! Any time we have to spend with them is a precious gift.They are all doing well, which certainly gives me hope for our homeschooling lifestyle. Yes, over 20 yeats of schooling and there are still many who think they need to tell how to do it better. I think I was blessed to begin when there weren't so many "camps" of homeschoolers. Snort! When we began, no one got huffy about educational methods, publishers, religious differences...if you found another homeschooler you recognised an indpendant, kindred spirit...and were thrilled, without a thought of critiquing their style. People still went to jail for homeschooling, we had big things to worry about.

Yes, visiting with our four college students, all on dean's lists, hearing comments from new adults in their lives, rave comments from professors - both at secular universities and Christian colleges, gives me the courage to say.....

We didn't finish all our work, we are more laid bqck than many, we did have gaps, we are busy and receive criticism for our schedule and lifestyle.....but look at them fly! They know how to learn, they love the Lord, their characters are firm, they own their education....some didn't read until 10, but shoot a 4 point in college puts things into perspective...I'm blessed in this season to have a track record which helps me resist peer pressure. Snort

Guess I can make long posts from ipad. My heart is full. Spending time with the boys a few weeks ago, hearing the girls' post graduation plans....great times! Saying goodbe - HARD...but they all 4 are chasing after God and their God-given dreams....they are safer in his care than in the care of this mama bear....time to get the younger ones up, call this vacation over and start the long trip back to Japan. Traveling prayers are welcome - I still seem a bit confused about finding the turn signal on a Ford. Snort.

Ear plugs work....vacation photos and thoughts to follow next week.

Yes, still choosing joy....thrilled at where God is moving...wondering what it would be like to live in one location with roots....but trusting God with the details...loving the results and the on- going adventures.

Choosing Joy!

©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Amen! Thank you for providing hope for those of us who are just starting out! I was literally looking at what we accomplished last week and thinking "oh, I wish we would have finished x,y, and z" but oh how I rejoice in LORD for my daughter and the gift she is! Thank you for the reminder! Much love to you and your family!

Linda said...

So wonderful to hear! We've talked to Gerren about Josiah and his Chick-fil-A career plans. (A man in our church owns the CFA in the nearby mall.) I really don't know how you do all the moving around! The house we've been living in for the past 2 months has sold and we have to move out by 1/28. It's enough to make me weep. :)

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Truth be told, moving is getting old. I put a good front on it talk a lot adventures and joy ... But I am nearly ready for the adventure of roots like "normal" folks....says theMK, military spouse who may not shake the 2 yr moving itch! Snort

Anonymous said...

Sis: This missionary Mom and wife still has the wonder lust and exciting life pop up in a desire for an hour or two. Llike where I am but often think of where I could be. Love what the Lord had done in our lives and the places and adventures we have had though. We started our adult life at the beginnings of this mobile society. Move on - move on and you all enjoy. love/prayers - Mom T.

Anonymous said...

Great post!
Well done, good and faithful servant!
Your children definitely do rise up and call you blessed. What an incredible heritage of faith.

I remember when we were face-to-face with the viable option of homeschooling. T.J. was about a month or two old; Andy was away with Desert Storm. (sound familiar?) Our years with kids at home were total immersion lifestyles of learning with them; sometimes I really miss all that we did and accomplished in learning and relationships during those times. With seasons of having them in, we've had to intentionally parent and disciple as they're not home all the time. It's about their academic learning and successes - but then it's even more about their relationship with God and how they'll find their role in the Body to go and tell.

Again, well done.
Great job on your kids and family and ministry -- and the website looks awesome, too!

mel

Janette said...

I am hearing this from more and more homeschooling moms. We are beginning to see the next generation of homeschoolers within our old community. Lawyers, teachers (I always think it is fun to see a homeschooler become a teacher), mechanics, engineers marrying and homeschooling their own children.
As a teacher- I told many a parent- you will probably spend more time on curriculum than I am able. My job was to keep the peace and then teach the lessons. Sometimes the first part took the entire day- not unlike family issues take the entire homeschool day.

Instill the love of learning and they will soar. You have done that. Good job!

Kim said...

What a great post, De'Etta. It's encouraging that there isn't a "right" way to Homeschool, and that kids can excel without the perfect parent for a teacher!

Cynthia said...

What a GREAT track record! I don't have one yet as I've only graduated one so far, but Em will graduate in 2012 and then I should qualify for a "track record." (LOL)....

you know how stressed I get this time of the year so it was great timing to read about the success of your schedule and not finishing things as we are somewhat simliar... I try to not fret during this Christmas season!

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Jannette - what an encouragement you are! I love this:

"My job was to keep the peace and then teach the lessons. Sometimes the first part took the entire day- not unlike family issues take the entire homeschool day."

Well said - what a liberating perspective for those who struggle with guilt over not sticking to a strict schedule.

Yes, teach them to learn, to love it, how to find answers and they'll soar.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Oh, {{{Cynthia}}} I know. I have had a hard season and have wondered if I'm doing "enough"....as the homeschool movement grows there are so MANY opportunities....and a renewed emphasis on EXCELLING...but for us it's always been character first and then teaching a loving and ownership of learning....and our homeschool has been mediocre...no fancy co-ops, programs etc....so it was good for ME to see how well the older ones are doing - I'll share more as results are official...but I'm very encouraged that they KNOW how to learn .....we enjoyed their childhood AND they are doing fine in college and beyond. LOL

Marla said...

this is music to my ears today. Thank you from someone who is just starting out and worried about so many of the perceived "missing pieces" and the criticism we are getting already. Starting her in Japan puts me much in the same place you were 20 years ago. If I run into another homeschooler I just want to hug them and talk for hours and am always surprised at all the "advice" thrown my way! LOL! And the struggle with reading, we are there right now. The struggle to WANT to read (she can just doesn't want to). To hear that one of your didn't learn till 10 takes a huge load off my shoulders. Thanks for sharing this!

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Marla, yes, you'll experience much that we did and more. Japan, being a country where "the nail that sticks up is pounded down". I'm glad you commented. I've been thinking of you, praying for your family, wondering where you are and now I can find my way to your blog and save it in my reader this time. LOL