Thank you all for your kind words!
I am so thankful for a like-minded community that can support and encourage one another.
I want to share a little more personally about our journey in the hopes that it will encourage someone else who may be in the same place that we were in. My dd's high school years were not easy ones for many reasons. I wish I could say that my mind was made up and never wavered during those years, but I can't. As most of our friends sent their kids off to school for high school, it became very difficult for my dd. She often felt that she was missing out and would often ask us to look into other schooling options. Many times, we questioned whether it was best to keep her at home. We did check out other options - several times. But as we continually prayed for wisdom and direction - knowing that God could see the big picture and knew what was best for our dd even we did not - God kept closing other doors and gently reminding us that He had a different plan for our dd than what those around us were doing. (I am not putting down others' decisions to choose other schooling options. It was just that God had shown us earlier that this was His plan for our family). There were lots of hard discussions. Lots of tears. Lots of prayers. Lots of times when it felt impossible to go on.
But I can tell you today that our dd has been thanking us continually for staying the course and for listening for God's voice more than we listened to hers - or even our own. She now sees things more clearly than she could in the midst of things. And like I said earlier, she says the greatest benefit is the relationships she enjoys with her family today that she feels would have suffered if we had chosen another route.
Yes, I do think that she missed out on some experiences - both good and bad - by not being in a school setting. But as we would always remind ourselves - if it's important for her life then God will make sure that she experiences it in one way or another. He is able to provide EVERYTHING that she needs.
Here is an excerpt of the letter she read to us in front of the church that I hope will give you encouragement and inspiration! I can't believe how brave she was!
"Thank you both so much. I know there may have been some things I didn't get to
experience not being at another school. Some people might say I haven't been
“socialized” enough or exposed enough. At one time I agreed with them. But now I
see differently. I see that I have done more living and experiencing than many
other kids will ever get the chance to do. I learned to live real life. I learned to be
independent. I've gotten to pursue the things that I'm interested in. I've learned to
get things done on my own. I have such a huge array of knowledge in unique areas
of learning that will benefit me for the rest of my life. I've gotten to work unique
and fun jobs that have introduced me to a lot of different people and challenges. I
also have developed a strong relationship with God and learned how to defend my
faith, which I know is due in huge part to the teaching and guidance you two have
given me. But one thing that I will never regret that I got out of this journey is the
strong and lasting relationships I have built with you two that will last a lifetime.
Nothing could ever replace that."