Friday, December 14, 2007

Really, God? Homeschool?

That's right. I believe with all my heart that God is calling us to homeschool. We homeschooled Jordan for the beginning of Kindergarten, and I loved it. But we got some misinformation from the schoolboard and it freaked me out, so I put him in school the next day. Well, it has been in the back of my mind ever since. Things that have happened over the last two years have now become very clear to me. Is this crazy? Maybe. Could it possibly not be God that I am hearing, buy my own desire? Maybe. But, as Beth Moore says, if I'm going to err, let me err on the side of faith. I won't go into all the details here, because frankly, it would be a really long, boring story. But we are confident that this is what God is calling us to do. Would you pray for us as we begin to plan for this journey? We thought, at first, we would let them finish out the year where they are. But some things have happened over the last week or so that have changed our minds. So, after the holidays, I will be a homeschooler!!! I am very excited, but we have a lot to do to get ready.

On another note, my baby turned 8 today! Jordan Andrew Shirley was born eight years ago today and I simply cannot believe it. Those of you with babies at home who think this time will last forever, it doesn't. But it does get better and better.

Jordan, I love you so much. I am so incredibly proud of you and the young man you are becoming. You are bright, unbelievably smart, funny, sweet, a fantastic big brother. You love to read. You love to learn. You love sports and playing soccer. You love God and are beginning to understand what that means. I am praying for your journey to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. He loves you more than I could ever describe to you. I thank God for picking me to be your mommy!!! And yes, I will always call you my baby! Happy Birthday!!!!

4 comments:

Stephen Shirley said...

Your "baby" is almost bigger than you. Fortunately, he's got a few more years before he is bigger than his dad.

Tamara said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU AWESOME JORDAN!!!!

Elizabeth, I can't wait to participate in this journey. You have an amazing family and we love you!

Mary Alice said...

How cool, Elizabeth! I would love to hear more about your decision sometime.

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDAN!

Christy said...

I can tell you that God called our family to Homeschool and he started it 10 yrs ago! Our oldest daughter, Jordyn was alive and fighting for her life against AML leukemia at the time, and every time I turned on the tv it felt like, another school shooting was being shown. I was then meeting one homeschooling family after another, God was seriously just making it so obvious to me! After Jordyn died and we found out I was pg with Jacob it grew even stronger, so after a great deal of prayer, and asking Chad to give it a chance, we did it...and LOVE IT! We in our official 2nd year of homeschooling and by traditional schooling Jacob's in 1st grade and doing fabulous! He's reading far above what the average 1st grader is reading, his math is above and beyond (he's doing pre algebra and the other day had some problems that stumped me! YIKES is all I can say to that! LOL), etc there are so many wonderful and amazing advantages to homeschooling! It's challenging, but the rewards definately outweigh any negatives! I will most definately be in prayer for your family!!

God Bless