What are some of unexpected ways HOD blessed you?

[holyhart]

I'm enjoying this thread so I'm bumping it. I still need to to write mine, but sadly I've spent my alloted time reading!

[my3sons]

What an awesome thread! Many of us have found similar unexpected ways HOD has blessed us - I am sensing a pattern here - and it's a good one! Some unexpected blessings from HOD for me are...

This board and all of YOU! I never foresaw that. Homeschooling in a Christian way can be lonely, but I don't feel alone anymore because of this board of like-minded Christian ladies. Thank you so much!

I never thought I'd be confident enough to homeschool through high school, and if I was, I was quite sure my dh wouldn't come on board for that... Well, I am! And he is! God works in amazing ways.

Teaching in ps, I longed to meet dc's needs by teaching multi-levels of skills (even within 1 grade of dc), but it was killing me to plan for it. I often spent the wee hours of the evening, long weekends, and summer breaks... planning, planning, planning... and often still not with the results I longed for. I have all that planning done for me within HOD, and it's better! My dh has me back.

I have always loved teaching, but I have not had the love of learning I do now with HOD. Who would have thought I could LOVE history, science, art projects - oh my - what a leap I have taken with loving learning!

I have found my purpose - my God-given purpose in life. It is homeschooling in a Godly manner with HOD. After years of searching what peace and contentment I have with this.

Every day of teaching HOD I have learned more about God myself, right along with my dc. The books HOD chooses - they just are steeped in the Lord. Those tiny devotionals - "Little Pillows", "Morning Bells" - they are thought provoking. I find myself going back to those truths in my day to day life. Likewise, "Devotions for the Children's Hour" - I will never think of Christ's dying for me on the cross the same again. "Genesis: Finding Our Roots", Christ's prophecies, touring the Bible Holy Land through "A Child's Geography", listening to stories in "Grandpa's Box" - I am growing in my faith along with my dc, day by day, step by step, I am walking more and more closely with the Lord.

I have learned more Scripture with HOD than I have learned in my entire life. I think it's the music CD's of it - the words just stick better in this mama's head.

HOD gave me back my love of reading. And it changed the kind of books I like. They are better books. Filled with worthy words. With high ideals and moral discernment. I have tossed most of the books from my pre-HOD life out to the curb and lined my shelves with the likes of Jane Austen, Charlotte Mason, Elizabeth Prentiss, Elizabeth George, Nancy Moser, and many other authors that are helping me upon my journey through life with the Lord.

HOD has helped me know how to raise my boys to be Godly men! This was very unexpected. It has been something I've worried about for years. My dh's father did not lead him in this way, and my dh is looking to me to help with this. Growing up in a family of girls with no brothers left me feeling very unprepared for this. "Boyhood and Beyond" in particular, along with "From Boy to Man", and "What Is God's Design for My Body?" has just held my hand through this all. How unexpected have been the conversations my dh and I have had about these topics! I feel so thankful for God's leading me through these books.

Financially - I have to agree with that one too. I am currently using my DITHOR guide for the seventh time (I used it tutoring first), my LHTH guide for the third time, my Bigger Hearts guide for the second time, and year after year this will be the case. HOD has been easy on the pocketbook, and that's a hot button between dh and me, so I am ever so grateful.

I like projects. I like experiments. This is extremely unexpected. I was so burned out on these after about 10 years of teaching through college/ps teaching/master's program/ VBS and children's church. I was not sure I could sum up the strength to use glue, glitter, or googly eyes one more time, much less 10-20 more years within homeschooling. I LOVE these parts of the day now - mainly because my dc are doing them happily with much less intervention by me - they fit their age level and ability, and they have a purpose because they link directly to their learning. And, they are done in short bursts in 3 days or less. Yes, very unexpected I like these, but I do.

Balance. This is unexpected, but I must say I am choosing to be a more balanced person due to HOD. And to encourage balance in the lives of my dc. I don't really have that feeling like, "Where oh where did my day go? And what did I even do?" anymore. School is in balance with life now. It is important but does not overstep its boundaries. I am a wife, a friend, a daughter, and an aunt now - not just a teacher - I have time for all because I am more balanced. I know the people I love in my life - really know them. Thanks, HOD! You've changed my life for the better.

Love in Christ,
Julie

[Juli]

No panic or anxiety this year now that it is curriculum purchasing season. I know EXACTLY what I want to purchase! Need I say more?????

[Tiffini]

HOD has helped me to continue homeschooling through the hardest year of my life. With the adoption of two little boys from Africa and some very difficult adjustment issues that came along with that - to a very serious issue with our oldest - we have been able to keep homeschooling. In fact, our last day of CtC was today!! We actually finished early despite all of the chaos, adjustment, change, grieving, exhaustion, depression and being overwhelmed! Without the ease of Carrie's guides and the fact that the kids actually like doing the work in them, I'm not sure what would have happened to our school year. I am beyond thankful that I found HOD three years ago. I can't wait to start year 4 in a few months with RtR. I have it all sitting here staring at me, and I can't wait to dig in to those books once I have some free time. HOD has blessed me and Carrie and Julie have blessed me abundantly! Giving thanks tonight...

[Carrie]

Ladies,

I am humbled beyond words...and am praising the Lord with you today for the blessings He's poured out on your families. All of us know this journey isn't easy, which is why it is a calling from God. Yet, together we can accomplish great things for His kingdom and work to "train up our children in the way that they should go, so when they are old they will not depart from it.

You each have blessed me so much! Thank you for letting us share this journey with you. It is a privilege.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Heidi in AK]

What a lovely story to share. Thank you for voicing it. I'm a researcher too (by former career as well as by nature) so it's encouraging to know that you have found peace in your hs journey. We are just starting out, so I'm looking forward to reading what others share as well.

I can relate to this as well. I'm a researcher also, and though I'm not a curriculum developer by nature, I am a curriculum junkie. All in jest, of course! Ever since finding HOD, though, I know we don't have to search anymore. Thus, I know our family's quality of life will increase rather than diminish. I know there will be no gaps. Thank you, Lord, and thank you, Carrie!