Break Out The Spurs

It is the last stretch.

It is the second of seven last stretches for me. Brian is pushing toward the end of his high school career, and we’re about to launch him into the world. You know, pushing him out of the nest into the wild blue yonder. Or the wild camo yonder, as the case may be.

Brian’s first tour with the Marine ‘pool meeting’ included running. Like the wind, Bullseye! He wasn’t used to such a hard run and nearly stopped during the last stretch. One of the Marines, seeing him lag, ran up behind him and put a hand in his back. He pushed. He wouldn’t let Brian stop. From his position behind Brian, he could talk in Brian’s ear…words only meant for him. You can do this. In order to accomplish this, the Marine had to slow his own pace, pull up behind the others, and come in later than he would have. Because of his efforts to encourage, Brian ran the whole way. Well, he threw up when they stopped, but he ran the whole way. J And he showed the Marines that he can run until he throws up.

As we’re going through the last months of school, Brian is trying not to lag. He’s working full time, pulling off an A in Advanced Physics, and still working on all of his other courses, a total of 12 credits (as opposed to the usual 6 or 7). Given the amount of time left, looking at the whole picture is a little frightening. No diploma, no Marines. Now is when he needs that hand in his back, pushing, not letting him stop, spurring him on until he throws up – at the finish line.

It’s that ‘coming along side’ thing, without which many of us would not make it. Everyone needs a hand up from time to time. Then, when they’re up, they know how to lend a hand up to someone else. The Marines, and the police officers, I’ve discovered, know the meaning of coming along side. This takes many forms, but ultimately, it encourages, scares or angers you into going the rest of the way, of completing a task you thought you might not be able to do.

Much of the New Testament was written with military terms. Perhaps this was because of Rome, which was very military minded. “Let us consider how we may spur one another on…” was a military reference. Spur. Kick. Poke. But get them going. So, break out the spurs. And bring a bucket – I think he’s going to throw up. But it won’t be until he passed the finish line.

Military Encounter - Perceptions of Home Schooling

My 18yo son has been exploring his options. He's looked at several different vocations, but peace keeping and U.S. Marines seems to keep coming up. We went, yesterday, to visit with a Marine recruiter. He's Infantry, so most of his focus came from his own personal experience, as expected. When he asked about grade level and we indicated that we home school, his first question was to the tune of 'to whom do you report?' He found it difficult to understand that we are responsible for ourselves and do not feel the need to be monitored by the State. His second question only confirmed that we are odd - "And you're registered with the State?" Um, no. We're not. The diameter of his eyes increased. He stated that he was not sure the Marines would take him, based on that. Hmmm. I told him that our decision not to register with the State was due to a personal conviction that parents are responsible for the education of their children. We have no squabble with others who choose public education. But for us, we were convicted that home education was right for us, AND that the State has no responsibility there, since we are capable of completing the required courses.

I have struggled often with feelings of inadequacy. This sometimes comes from others who ask things like, "Whatdoyoumean you haven't covered that yet???" and similar questions. As I was writing up transcripts in recent weeks, which has been interrupted by doing my taxes, I have been mostly impressed with my children. They know WAY more than I do. To grant a child the desire to learn and the enjoyment of learning is, I think, a major goal of education. Secondly, to grant them the skills in which to find what they need to know is equal in importance. Beyond that, I am a facilitator, a coach. Taking ownership of their own education is key to the whole learning process.

So Brian took the short ASVAB and scored well, with time to spare. Boo yah! The recruiter was impressed. And when I told him that I can provide proper transcripts, he said that 'there should be no problem, then.' Yep!

Now, to complete high school, get his diploma, finish his transcripts...we're nearly finished with the beginning of the launch. He is leaning toward ROTC, and going in to the Marines as an officer. Of course, that may change, but he's making decisions for his future and becoming a man of excellence. I could not ask for more than that.

Transcripts and Graduation

So I'm nearing the end of the 12th grade for my oldest son. This week, I've been writing up transcript information on worksheets that I got off the web. I think the one I liked the best was the one that HSLDA has on their site. There are some things that I wish we'd covered, but, for the most part, we've done okay.

Both my 18yo and 15yo are signed up with Number2.com, so that they can study for the SATs. We've never done any state testing. The reason I chose not to is because I felt 1. that they test differently than my children have learned, and 2. that I don't want the State tracking my children. I've never signed up with the State to register my home school, either. I believe, based on the Bible's instruction to parents, that it is my responsibility, and my husband's, to be sure that our children are educated. All of the particulars may not be in place, but if I have given my children a love of learning and have provided for them the learning environment in which to study, AND taught them from the Scriptures to reason, then I have done what I ought. Anyway, it will be interesting for all 3 of us to see how they do on the study questions. I'll most likely post something on that later.

I am amazed, actually, at all that my children are accomplishing, subject-wise, within the school year. It is really a lot. As I seem to always question my own aptitude and ability, I am encouraged by what I am seeing.

In addition to the paperwork and bookwork, I have seen such a sense of direction in my 18yo and 15yo. They are taking responsibility for their own education, scheduling their own days to accomplish their tasks. It is truly a blessing to watch. In fact, all of the kids seem to be 'catching it' this year. Perhaps a little late in the year for a few of them - but that's ok. They're catching it.

VBS and a little 'extra' time

A lot of us take our kids to VBS during the summer. My friend told me she does about 3 every summer! Some moms, like my friend, think it is wonderful, while others find it to be detrimental to their child training. I've seen both, in my experience. I only have two who are still young enough to go, and two more who are helpers, which is a good thing, too. (My life is changing drastically...I also have two who are working!) Wow! Just think on that a minute!

So this week I have some time alone with my 14, almost 15ds. What will we do? We'll study the Bible (he wants to study the 10 Commandments in depth, and we've gotten on this kick about Open Theism, Molinism, and other 'heresies'. I believe that in order to understand the ideas of liberty of conscience, one of my other blogs, we must have a clear understanding of the nature and charcter of God. Without that, LOC can go awry very quickly. So, while talking with Hamlet, some of these things have come up, and Josh is excited about determing not only his own belief but how to answer the questions of others. So, off we go! Our first quest? Winkie Pratney. 2nd will be Charles Finney. Who knows who/what is next?! All surrounded by searching the Scriptures, of course.

Since I process verbally, talking to Hamlet and to my children is as good as any good cup of coffee for me.

Another thing I'm doing is writing. I simply can't help myself! The words boil in my mind until I type them (furiously) and spin them to some good end. Am I good? Well, I really have no idea! Some have scoffed at my writing, while others have told me they couldn't put down the story they got hold of. I'm learning not to be discouraged by the negative responses, though, truly, this is hard for me. The fact is, whether I'm good or not, I HAVE to write. I have a sense that God has given this to me. He is my biggest Cheer Leader (bet you didn't know that was one of His names!). If I do it to honor Him, then He is pleased.

I write to share biblical truths with others. That being the case, I have felt that I must publish. Either that, or give my stories out freely, which has been considered. I'm checking out self-publishing, as I know I'm not good enough to go with a standard publisher, simply because my name is not known. It has become apparent, in my research, that they care only about the income they will make off a writer, and not the content. I'd rather go for good content and leave the income to God. My coach told me that 'books sell because they sell.' It makes no difference if it's good or bad writing. I see this to be true, even for my own purchasing of books. I will buy books whose authors are known to me. We are creatures of habit. Fortunately, God does not make His choices by tradition.

Did I say God makes choices? Hm! Off to do more study! (Can you just hear the glee in my 'voice'?)

In case you were wondering...

Friends who have not viewed our daily lives often ask what we do, or 'how do you DO all of that?,' or 'what is your life really like?'

So, for that reason, I'll post a few days here and there. Maybe it will help someone who has a whole passel of children who is also trying to home school and manage a household.