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I am so blessed and so thankful God led us to HOD. It is has been an amazing year so far. Our oldest is in Preparing with Extensions. He is almost 12. This is his 2nd year homeschooling.

While we have always worked hard to help him understand the word and God's desire to know him, we felt like he didn't want to be told what he should do and so he often dragged his feet in terms of building his own love of God. Then, last night the most wonderful thing happened that gave me joy and hope for the future with him like I have never had before.

I was up working on some stuff and he came up from his bedroom. It was just he and I awake. He said he had been woken up by hearing someone say his name. He said he thinks it was Jesus. He came upstairs to tell me something he had said to some of his soccer teammates back in August at a tournament. He spoke unkindly to them out of frustration that they were not even trying hard and he had been carrying that guilt. Then he compared that experience to the "war" that Grandpa's box discusses. He said he knew Satan was winning in the war by his having been unkind and not telling me about it. He didn't want to have Satan win. He knew Jesus needed him to do the right thing in the war.

We talked about what had said, how he was very different in terms of following the Lord back in August and how now he realizes it is up to him to build that relationship, not his mom and dad. He has matured in the few short months of school and this guide. I am blessed and praise God for leading the writing of this Guide!

Blessings to all of you! And, when you feel like you are struggling, just hang in there. God will bless you and your children!

Deb

Praising God with you!!! That is so wonderful.

That is wonderful!

That's wonderful! Grandpa's Box is an AMAZING book!

Wanted to add: My ds came to a saving knowledge of Christ this last summer. I firmly believe that the Lord used HOD as a means of salvation. This program is God-blessed and such a wonderful tool to use with our children. I hope my children look back on their childhoods and remember being "swamped" with the truths of the Lord! HOD is helping me do that.

That is truly wonderful that the curriculum is having such a profound effect. I think Grandpa's Box and Preparing is giving my dc a better understanding of God too. What a blessing!

Thanks for sharing, what an awesome breakthrough for your son to have! I agree, though it is the Holy Spirit's work to change hearts, I believe the materials in HOD really bring the truth forth in a way that allows the children to see. "Preach the Word and the Holy Spirit will open blind eyes." (this is from a sermon I heard recently) I have seen similar amazing spiritual times in my DDs life as she realizes that she is sinful, and the depth of what Jesus has done for her. I too am so thankful to see the Holy Spirit at work like this, using me and HOD to help bring her to Himself!

Praise the Lord! That is a breakthrough, and I'm rejoicing with you today as I know how this is so near and dear a mama's heart! I think that "Grandpa's Box" makes it seem so natural for dc to talk about struggles and their faith with their parent (or grandparent). It was almost like it just opened the door to making it seem just something we do - talk about the struggles we are having in this spiritual warfare we are all involved in, and talk about it with parents or someone you love that loves you enough to listen and relate. I'm so glad this door has opened between you and your ds, and may the Lord continue to be at work in all of us and our dc!

In Christ,
Julie

Praise God, for He is truly good. I am teary eyed after having read about your son, because it is such a blessing and gift when God touches the hearts of our children. It is very encouraging to read, thanks for sharing. Jen

Deb,

Thank you so much for sharing this conversation! It is so important to us as we write our guides to provide many opportunities for our kiddos to be in God's Word, think about the Lord, speak to Him, and praise Him each and every day. We want the Lord to be near and dear to their hearts and for them to yearn for Him to Lord of their lives. There is no greater task, and my heart sings when I hear about conversations like this!

Blessings,
Carrie

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing this amazing testimony!!