Foreword
When my
husband Karl and I made the decision to homeschool our
children in the fall of 1973, it was a life-changing
undertaking. It proved to be, and is still, one of
greatest fulfillment and lasting satisfaction.
To be a wife
and mother has always been a most precious treasure in my
life. God has blessed our marriage of more than
thirty-four years with nine, now grown, children; six
girls and three boys. He has added yet many more blessings
to our household including twenty-seven grandchildren—and
we're still counting!
As the wife
of my missionary, and pastor husband, we have been more
than satisfied with having our children with us day by
day. Homeschooling became a natural part of our daily
living, one that has all too soon been completed. We are
very happy to see and be a part, with several of our
children now homeschooling their children.
There were,
from the beginning, many questions which relatives and
other concerned people would bring repeatedly to our
attention, while we were in the process of educating our
children. These questions are still being asked of
homeschooling parents today. The answers are still the
same and certainly proven to be true. Home education does
work; is not a burden, and does produce the desired
results. A mature, capable young man and young woman, with
a firm belief in God, the home and family, and a strong
patriotic citizen, as well as being self-sufficient are
results which homeschooling parents should see.
When
beginning, it seems like such a long lonely road to take,
but in reality it is a truly blessed way of living.
Children are the heritage and blessing of the Lord. We
have so few short years to have the companionship and
closeness of our children. That which we impart to them
during their years of nurturing and training will be the
basis for their character and beliefs when they mature.I have often
taught of Jockebed, Moses' mother;Hanna,
Samuel's mother, and others in the Bible who, in the
formative years of their children's lives, instilled in
them the faith and belief in God that influenced these men
and women as they became leaders before God.
We need
not, as parents, feel that we are depriving our children
by homeschooling them. Indeed we are giving them the
foundation for their lives. God will honor and bless our
determination to do things His way.
Besides
being concerned myself, our own capability to teach our
children was challenged on occasion. I also know, though,
that the source of ability' comes from our Heavenly
Father. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will
and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Our
God who gives us our children requires us to teach them
His righteous statutes, judgments, laws, and His Holy
Word. God who gives us children also gives the ability' to
properly raise and teach them.
I guess it is a very strange thing that the educational system
that taught most of today's parents would so question the
results of their own products.
The challenge to Karl's credentials to write seems equally
foolish. Having been a minister for over twenty-five years
and actively involved in the education of our own children
for over fifteen years; Karl has gained a wealth of
insight, knowledge, and understanding. Karl has also been
the director of the Christian Home School Association in
Northern Arkansas until recently. He has spent
considerable time and effort in study, working in
legislative activities, and in legal cases involving
homeschool issues.
Virginia Reed
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