Over the years Rod and I have come across more and more scriptures that guide our decision to home school our children. Here are some:
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Jeremiah 29:11
Colossians 2:2-3
Proverbs 1:1-7
Proverbs 22:6
Ephesians 6:1-4
Psalm 78:1-8
Joshua 24:9
Psalm 127
Psalm 128
Phil 4:4-7
Phil 4:8
Phil 1:4-6
You can look these up quickly at www.biblegateway.com which is a link on our site.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Why we home school
Home schooling did not come naturally to us. In fact we had no idea it was going to change our lives so dramatically when we committed to this lifestyle. A lifestyle is just what it is for us. In the beginning we chose to home school for different reasons then why we have continued to home school. Our 2 oldest boys have some learning and social issues that were impacting their performance and relationships in school. We had them in private schools until our oldest, Chris was in 5th grade and Tim was in 3rd grade. They were in fine schools for kids with learning issues. Even in this fine and creative educational environment they still struggled, with academics and social relationships. Our family was attending a Christian church. Rod and I both chose to live for Christ. With that choice we could see that it was important to put Jesus at the center of everything we did, including raising our children. We could see that the school that the boys attended dealt with their learning but was not going to give them the personal attention they needed to grow spiritually. How could they? They had 15-20 children per class and all with different learning styles, social issues and family back grounds.
Why is this a problem? One size does not fit all and the spiritual growth and maturity of my children depends on a personal relationship, a relationship with some one who knows them deeply and cares for them deeply. Their teacher cared but not like we would, not like we should. God convicted us there was another way to educate our children. After much prayer and some research we jumped in and committed to home schooling.
No turning back For me (Kathy) there was no trial run, it was we are going to do this or not do it at all. Why? because this is the sort of thing I believe I had to commit and not have a loop hole to get out. If I left a loop hole when things got tough (and they did) I could just quit and be let off the hook. How is that a good example for my children? How will I see God's hand in our life if I quit when it get's too hard or I have a bad day?
What keeps us going? I have had many bad days, frustration, fear, overwhelming feelings, failure but there were the precious days, fruitful days with God's gifts to keep my head up and encourage me to continue what He asked me to do. What kept me from tossing the towel in and putting them back in school was knowing we were being obedient to God's word, what He had revealed to us and called us to do. He didn't say it would be easy or fun but His promises are true and He always keeps His promises. We have another blog that lists these scriptures if you are interested in how He was speaking to us through His Word. I hold on to these scriptures everyday especially on those overwhelming days and the "I'm not sure what I'm doing" days.
Home schooling has changed our lives, given us a purpose and put us on a journey to become more like Jesus in that we (I) can not do any of this with out His hand to guide me. Everyday I pray, "Lord order my steps, guide my thoughts so I may walk in your will." If there is any good in our children or our home it is because of God's work and nothing we have done. We give praise to God for His purposes for our home.
Why is this a problem? One size does not fit all and the spiritual growth and maturity of my children depends on a personal relationship, a relationship with some one who knows them deeply and cares for them deeply. Their teacher cared but not like we would, not like we should. God convicted us there was another way to educate our children. After much prayer and some research we jumped in and committed to home schooling.
No turning back For me (Kathy) there was no trial run, it was we are going to do this or not do it at all. Why? because this is the sort of thing I believe I had to commit and not have a loop hole to get out. If I left a loop hole when things got tough (and they did) I could just quit and be let off the hook. How is that a good example for my children? How will I see God's hand in our life if I quit when it get's too hard or I have a bad day?
What keeps us going? I have had many bad days, frustration, fear, overwhelming feelings, failure but there were the precious days, fruitful days with God's gifts to keep my head up and encourage me to continue what He asked me to do. What kept me from tossing the towel in and putting them back in school was knowing we were being obedient to God's word, what He had revealed to us and called us to do. He didn't say it would be easy or fun but His promises are true and He always keeps His promises. We have another blog that lists these scriptures if you are interested in how He was speaking to us through His Word. I hold on to these scriptures everyday especially on those overwhelming days and the "I'm not sure what I'm doing" days.
Home schooling has changed our lives, given us a purpose and put us on a journey to become more like Jesus in that we (I) can not do any of this with out His hand to guide me. Everyday I pray, "Lord order my steps, guide my thoughts so I may walk in your will." If there is any good in our children or our home it is because of God's work and nothing we have done. We give praise to God for His purposes for our home.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Why we blog
We want to remember what we did when we are old and grey...wait, Rod's already grey.
Yes, Rod is already grey and we do want to remember our home school days but we also want to share them with our family and friends who live all over the country. We move around quite a bit and find it is often hard to build and nurture long distance relationships. Our hope is that through this blog site we will update everyone, but more than that to reflect with us what God is doing in and through our family. We hope to post priceless memories, reflections and lessons learned, photos and precious tid bits of trivia that only insiders to the Hutton family would know.
Yes, Rod is already grey and we do want to remember our home school days but we also want to share them with our family and friends who live all over the country. We move around quite a bit and find it is often hard to build and nurture long distance relationships. Our hope is that through this blog site we will update everyone, but more than that to reflect with us what God is doing in and through our family. We hope to post priceless memories, reflections and lessons learned, photos and precious tid bits of trivia that only insiders to the Hutton family would know.
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