How HOD has helped ME grow this year

[Shimmer]

I'm so happy to see how my girls have grown this past year. An unexpected benefit is how I have grown as well. One of my big hangups about homeschooling was that I wasn't sure I could do it well. I have no educational teaching experience. As soon as I saw an HOD manual in person, my first thought was "I can do that!" Thanks so much to Carrie for making a great curriculum with wonderful content and organized in a way to help Mom teach well.

I've grown so comfortable with teaching my kids. I had noticed some needs in our church for awhile and I asked the pastor if I could start Children's Church during part of the worship service for the kids that could get more out of being out church than free play in the nursery and are still young enough not to get much out of the sermon yet. I am having a really good time teaching these kids and have between 10 - 15 each week. I would have never dreaming of offering to teach kids before this year with HOD! I wouldn't have anything to do with that sort of role previously.

In January I had been coming up with some New Years Resolutions for fun and it occurred to me that I hadn't asked God if there was anything I could do for Hm this year. I prayed that I could be used for Him and that's when the Children's Church idea got solid in my head and I pursued it. There happen to be a lot of upheaval going on in our Children's programming at the time and there was a need for a Sunday School director to finish out the year. I took that on as well and we had a great semester. I'm now a co-chair for our Children's programming and have pulled together a great committee to share responsibilities. I am helping plan out our Sunday School curriculum for the next several years. It's been amazing to me how the Spirit is working in our church and how I get to be part of it.

Probably more than people really wanted to know about me, but I wanted to share a little of how teaching HOD has helped ME grow in addition to my children. I am now in roles I would have never dreamed of! I have really been blessed and I wanted Carrie to know some of the impact it's had for me, my kids, and now the children in my church.

Thank you!

[lovedtodeath]

That is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

Carmen

[Cindie2dds]

Thank you for sharing. You have opened my eyes to what I can learn, not just our girls.

[Shawna]

I think that is magnificent!! I am new to HOD, but one thing I am looking forward to is what I will learn also! I am so excited about all the Bible lessons!! Maybe next year at this time I will have a post like yours!!! What a blessing!

[jenntracy]

That it is just awesome! It is so great how God will use us if we listen to His call
Thanks for sharing!

Jenn D.

[Debbie]

Wow, that is a great testimony. Thank you for sharing.

[Carrie]

Shimmer,

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share how HOD has impacted you this year! It blessed me so much to hear how you are serving the Lord and the way He has helped you grow as a teacher this year. We feel blessed that our guides are helping you fulfill the call to homeschool your kiddos and are guiding you in the skills of teaching too!

Thanks so much for sharing! My heart is filled today!

Blessings,
Carrie