Prasing the Lord!

[MamaMary]

Girls, I have so many things I would like to Praise the Lord for, but I wanted to share specifically an answer to prayer that happened this week. This is the first year (in the eleven we have homeschooled) that I could not figure out what to do with my 16 year old son who is a junior. I want so much for him and yet because of his processing issue's and ADD he just does not work well independently for long periods of time. (though much MUCH better than when he was younger) Academics are not his strong point. His strength lies in his interpersonal skills.

I am actually getting ready to write an article for my homeschool support groups newsletter that talks about one of my greatest joys of home education being the relationship I have created with son who will graduate next year. He is such a blessing to me. Someone once said to me that it's not how much you enjoy being around your child, it's how much others enjoy them. Brandon takes the baton for this one. My friends love my Brandon. God has gifted him with an amazing relational quality. He is funny and engaging, but academically he has struggled through the years. He has to work so much harder to master area's his brothers get without much difficulty. I share this because I believe that all children are gifted, but in different ways. When we were new homeschoolers I used to focus on his weakness, rather than seeing the incredible gifts God had given him.

This year, a good friend who is a teacher and a tutor and has known Brandon since he was a little boy, felt the Lord lead her to tutor him in math and all she asked in return was that I make dinner for her family on Wednesday's. She teaches at a homeschool school called "Classical Conversations" which is a once a week school for home educator's where they meet and take higher academic coarses such as Latin, Logic, Debate, IEW, (creative writing) science, history, you name it. I would have never considered this for my Brandon as it's very academically challenging and requires up to 5 hours a day of homework. It's also quite expensive and non refundable if it doesn't work it requires a full year commitment.

But out of nowhere this friend of mine, who has been tutoring and knows my Brandon's academic level better than anyone outside of me called. She said that the Lord had been moving her to call me for a few days and that she just wanted to propose something for my husband and I to pray about. She felt that Brandon would really do well in this setting and that because she would be his teacher that she could help meet his special needs. She did tell me he probably shouldn't do latin or their math and that she would continue to work on math with him outside of school. She said that if my husband Scott and I felt like this would be a good situation she would work out a payment plan for us as well.

Let me say, that I would have never signed him up by myself for this school if the circumstances had been any different. (because of his special concerns) However, since my dear friend who already works with and knows Brandon will be his teacher and because she was able to work out finances and because she will drive him, (PTL, because it's quite a hike) we have decided to do it.

How does this tie into HOD? It does! You see, I have felt burdened trying to meet my Brandon's academic needs since he graduates next year. I was at a loss how to manage my time to prepare him for college while schooling my three younger sons with HOD. The Lord, who knows my tomorrows, totally worked it out. I can now just fully focus on my younger boys using our HOD programs and I can supervise my oldest, but I don't have to even think about curriculum or scheduling or teaching, as Classical Conversations does all that for me. I also believe that in two years of using this program he will be ready to go to our local college. God is so good!

Jeremiah 29:11 really shines here.., "For I know the plans I have for your children Mary, Plans to give them a HOPE and a FUTURE!"

[water2wine]

Mary I am so happy for you that you found the perfect solution for your son. I know how much peace that must be bringing you. It sounds like you have a very dear friend and that truly is a blessing as well. I know when my daughter gets to high school I will have some similar concerns as well. My solution at this point is prayer. I am praying for God to either convince Carrie that she simply must educate my children through high school or if God absolutely says no on that (though I just can't fathom it ) I am praying for God to put something else in it's place that is all organized for me in an HOD type of way. And I know that something else must be divinely inspired because I do not see it available and I can't imagine anyone else doing it in a HOD type of way. But I am still praying.

Seriously though I am praising God for His perfect answer for your son. It does sound like it was hand picked just for him. Congratulations!

[Mommamo]

What a beautiful post!! That just gave me chills! Isn't it amazing what the Lord can do for us when we just put our faith in him?

[Matt'sMom]

Mary,

God is so good. He always goes before us and makes a way for us. (When will I learn to stop running ahead and wait for his timing )
What a blessing to have a son like you described. I would love to know him. Also who precious is a friend who is willing to listen to the Spirit and follow through. You are blessed. I am praying for you and your family as you start on this new journey. I'm sure it will be a good one.

Durea,

ps. I have a couple of questions about time4learing so I am going to pm you. If you could answer when you have aminute I would sure appreciate it . Thanks

[6timeboymom]

Praise the Lord!!! what a wonderful gift your friend is to you and your son!!!!

you sentiment of your Lord who knows your tomorrows made me think of a sign I have on my living room wall "Don't worry about tomorrow: God is already there!" and so He is!!

[Tana in FL]

Oh, Mary, this is so wonderful! I am excited for you and for Brandon! God is good.

[Kathleen]

Mary,

Thanks for letting us praise the Lord with you and for reminding me today of God's great faithfulness and that He will direct our paths when we trust in Him!! I'm so happy for your answer to prayer!

Kathleen

[MamaMary]

Dear Girls,

Thank You for your kind, sweet, life giving words! I look forward to seeing how this year goes. You would think I was sending him to school the way I've been wrestling. It's just a day program for homeschoolers He'll be 17 in about 6 weeks, but I've never let him out of my sight. I guess this is the beginning?

[water2wine]

You would think I was sending him to school the way I've been wrestling. It's just a day program for homeschoolers He'll be 17 in about 6 weeks, but I've never let him out of my sight. I guess this is the beginning?

It's one day with a personal tutor and escort that actually loves and cares to the point of hearing God call her to it. At this age she is not going to un-teach what you are teaching him so you are working against each other academically. She can only help. Plus I think the one day a week thing in high school could be the perfect transition for the years to come. And he is not a struggler with faith or attitude. Who knows he may be witnessing to other kids. If you don't like it just pull him out and thank your friend for her efforts. You just worry because you are a good mama.

[crlacey]

How wonderful Mary! Thanks for letting my know that you struggled with letting him go since I struggle to let DD go to outside events (such as church vbs or awana) when it's a drop them off and leave them situation. I've always been hands on with my kids. So thank you for letting me know I'm not abnormal. Or if I am abnormal, there are others like me!

[MamaMary]

You would think I was sending him to school the way I've been wrestling. It's just a day program for homeschoolers He'll be 17 in about 6 weeks, but I've never let him out of my sight. I guess this is the beginning?

It's one day with a personal tutor and escort that actually loves and cares to the point of hearing God call her to it. At this age she is not going to un-teach what you are teaching him so you are working against each other academically. She can only help. Plus I think the one day a week thing in high school could be the perfect transition for the years to come. And he is not a struggler with faith or attitude. Who knows he may be witnessing to other kids. If you don't like it just pull him out and thank your friend for her efforts. You just worry because you are a good mama.

Oh W2W..., Thank you! That was a beautiful, glass half FULL way to look at it!

[MamaMary]

How wonderful Mary! Thanks for letting my know that you struggled with letting him go since I struggle to let DD go to outside events (such as church vbs or awana) when it's a drop them off and leave them situation. I've always been hands on with my kids. So thank you for letting me know I'm not abnormal. Or if I am abnormal, there are others like me!

I have many friends whose children are plugged into our church's youth group and they really thrive! However, the Lord has never given my husband and I peace about letting our children plug into that specific area. It sounds like He has led your family the same way!

[gracelikerain]

That is amazing!

PTL!!