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| Some new curriculum -- just a fraction of the material we will be using in Anna's 12th grade of homeschool. Finishing Strong! (words from my heart) Just the mere title of today's post brings tears to my eyes for three reasons... (besides the fact that I'm a highly emotional person anyways)
First, this will be our 16th year of homeschooling and our baby bear's 12th grade of formal education. (sob, blubber) Our youngest child will be graduating from our homeschool in the spring of 2015 and I have plum run out of children to teach. (sigh) Both of our girls have been homeschooled all the way through and it has been nothing but pure delight! Oh sure, there have been a few tears along the way, but the girls have always been so compliant and self-motivated -- they love learning at home and I have loved every moment of being their mom and teacher. We have built wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime and I don't regret a second of it.
Unfortunately, it's that bittersweet time of life when we are happy for our children that they are growing as God intended and looking forward to what God has for their future, yet it's oh so hard to turn to the next chapter in our lives -- loving and leaving behind what has become sweet memories; knowing things will never really be the same ever again.  bittersweet
And although I would like to think that I could keep up this way of life for at least another 16 years (nevermind that I'll be in my early 70's), God knows our future and I know He will guide and direct my every step. ♥ Thankfully, although the girls are growing up, at least we don't have to say good-bye on top of that. As most will agree, just because one has a diploma in hand doesn't mean they stop learning & being a vital part of the family. Amber, who graduated in spring of 2012 still runs her home business of Downy and Floral, sometimes picks up additional jobs like recently working at the local berry farm (and sometimes has to turn down job offers), leads a girls' Bible study from home, still plays violin & wants to get a mandolin soon, reads a plethora of books (by/about great men (historians, leaders, pastors, missionaries) such as Wilberforce, Bonhoeffer (Eric Metaxas) 1776, John Adams (David McCullough), Edwards, Spurgeon, Rushdoony, Augustine, etc., and most of all, the Bible), and helps me a great deal. Likewise, Anna is taking additional on-line course work towards her future, plays piano, guitar, & ukelele, serves, and is a big help around the home & farm.
Secondly, on a more somber note, the term "Finishing Strong" makes me think about all the events that are currently going on in our nation and around the world and wonder how much more time we have left here on this planet. It grieves me to think that our children will not see and fully experience the same life we had growing up -- where God, family, and country were honored by most Americans and people were kinder and more courteous. Our faith and our way of life is becoming increasingly threatened from all sides. To me, the term "finishing strong" means that now is not the time to freeze or numb ourselves in mindless sports and entertainment that is of no value in light of eternity, but now is the time to make every moment count! Share our faith. Walk in Truth no matter the cost! Teach our children as if it may be our last year/week/day/words with them; for our lives are short, but eternity is forever.
Lastly, the term "Finishing Strong" has a particularly dear meaning to me in that it was the title of the sermon a dear pastor friend preached at my beloved daddy's funeral back in the fall of 2000. Although the timing of that sermon title came somewhat amusingly as Pastor Morton had just prepared the sermon, or at least the basic concept of the sermon, to preach to the Minnesota Vikings football team that same week, and although it was no doubt very applicable to the Vikes, yet, God knows, the sermon was also very applicable to my daddy in that he was a man of faith throughout his life and although very weak in body the last few years, yet a spiritual giant and example in my heart & mind forever. May I not falter but be that same example.
May I, and our children, Finish Strong!
II Timothy 4: 1-8
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
For the Glory of God.
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