It's Official

Earlier this week I "officially" filed my Declaration of Intent to Home School with the Georgia Department of Education.  It's been in the works since February 2012 (longer than that if you include the years it took God to change my heart) and we even celebrated on the last day of public school at the end of 5th grade.  Only now it's official...I think I'm going to wet myself!

You see, I am not what anyone in my family would picture as a home school mom.  I am a product of public school, had big plans to be a school music teacher, both my parents and all of my sister/brother/in-laws are public school teachers.  Talk about me going off the deep end.  You want a black sheep, well I'm your gal.  The thing is, I'm practically home schooling myself presently.  Yes, you read that right.  I'm finishing up the tail end of my Master's degree online and I can hardly keep my head above my own pool of work.  What am I thinking?

When I was younger and wondered how I'd know when I'd met the man I would marry, everyone just said, "You'll know when you know."  Well, that's how it was with home schooling.  Fifth-grade was it.  I just knew...  Of course, a series of events I'd rather not make public, major prayer, the support of some amazing Christian friends and stepping out on faith went into play too!

In the spirit of transparency I'll say that while I have two children (3rd & 6th grades), I am only home schooling one this year.  I only felt led to bring my oldest home to learn this year.  When/if God calls me to teach both, I will obey.  For now, I fear I already have my hands full! 

So, this is just the start of my home school adventure.  Sometimes I'll write and sometimes my son will write.  I'm grateful if you're reading this and I beg you not to judge.  I'm going to be straight up with you about my fears, my challenges, my failures, and let's hope a few successes along the way.  For now, I'm clinging to this verse:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."  James 1:5

I feel unequipped, too busy, in over my head, and that I'll mess up my kid forever, but those are words straight from the evil one.  I'm asking my God for wisdom, I know He'll provide and I believe "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13