I was home schooled as a child. That was back when people asked if homeschooling was legal, when mom didn’t allow us to go outside until after the schools let out, and when our neighbors called CPS because they noticed that we weren’t getting on the school bus. That was also back when many curriculum publishers did not sell books to homeschoolers and there certainly was not any curricula written or designed for homeschoolers. I was home schooled back in the dark ages of homeschooling.
God used the amazing experience of my mother being diagnosed with cancer and given 6 months to live at the age of 35, to push our family into homeschooling. My mom was thirty-five years old and pregnant with her fifth child. I was the oldest at eleven.
My mom and dad were faced with the decision of what Mom should do with her final 6 months. They decided that she would pour her life into mine in a way and to a level that she had not done previously. They would pull me out of school and teach me at home.
My parents had heard of homeschooling before, but did not think it was for them. Even when they made the decision to home school me, my younger brother and sister remained enrolled in Christian school. Several months after deciding to homeschool me, my mom was in the midst of radiation treatments. One morning my younger sister who was then 7, was heart broken and crying because she had to leave for school and was unable to help her mommy. My parents discussed it and the next day gave my brother and sister a paper bag, told them to pack up all the things from their desk at school and to tell their teachers that they weren’t going to be coming back.
When you are faced with death your priorities are much more clear than during the daily grind of life. I was blessed to witness my parents as they traveled that path and it brought clarity to me. I want to make the same decision that they made. I wanted to pour my life into my children, my family. At the end of the day I believe that is what really matters.
I am able to look back on my mother’s cancer as one of God’s greatest blessings to our family. Don’t get me wrong, it was an experience I NEVER want to repeat. It was scary and horrifying and long and hard. I’m sure it wasn’t much fun for her either. However, it changed our family, brought us home and taught us much. It continues to affect my life today as I desired to home educate my children because I was home educated.
I relate this to help explain many of the decisions that my husband and I now make as we home educate our children. We want to be able to look back over our life without regret. We can not possibly do all the thousands of good things that there are to do, so we are unwilling to spend our time doing things that are merely good, we want to choose the best. We want to live each day and make each decision with purpose. Our family’s purpose is to “glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”
One of the ways that we strive to accomplish this is by building relationships. Relationships where we learn to love others even as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. So we attempt to pour our lives into others. One aspect of that is spending time, lots of time each day with our children; teaching our children about our God, talking with our children, holding and loving our children, and yes, enjoying our children. As we are faithful to do the hard work of parenting God blesses us and gives us joys without measure.
The best time every day is the morning when we are snuggled on the couch together reading our Bibles, or maybe it is in the evening when we gather around our table and talk and laugh over the days events, or perhaps when we gather in the family room for family worship, the little kids competing to get in their favorite big kids lap and the big ones asking to sit in mom or dad’s lap. This is life. This is what matters. The piano and ballet, soccer and logic are good, but so many families are so busy running that they don’t have time for what is best, time with their family.
So in our home school, we choose not to do a lot of the extra-curricular activities. We choose to learn together as much as possible. We choose activities that our whole family can enjoy together. We choose people and character over academics. Please don’t misunderstand me, academics are important and we believe that our children are getting a much better education than could receive anywhere else, but if it is a choice between helping those in need or doing our bookwork that day, we choose to serve and are hopefully training our children to do the same.
Did you think I was going to leave you hanging? I nearly did. My mother fought cancer for two years (?) (I was only 11-12 so my memory is a bit fuzzy.) before she went into remission. God answered our prayers that she would live to see her “children’s children” and my mother is currently waiting to meet her nineteenth grandchild! Praise the Lord.
Read more about our homeschool journey. Check out my homeschool category at the top of the page for practical homeschooling ideas.
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I love this story, it was heart warming and full of truth! GOD will bless you for honoring him…I wish some of your faith to rub off on me sometime’s I feel like he is talking to everyone else except me it makes me want to scream. Blessings to you
megan
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Thank you for sharing your homeschooling story. I have considered it as well (I still have a little more time to think about it because my kids are so young). I love how your family has embraced the important things in this life : glorifying God, building relationships, loving, serving.
I am interested to see some of your methods!
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What a wonderful testimony! Thank you for sharing. What a wonderful heart you have for your family, too. Glad I found your blog. Blessings.
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I am so encouraged by your blog…I have read through a couple of your entries…I LOVE the Family closet idea and will share with my husband tonight to get his thoughts:) We have 5 children…4 girls & 1 boy and another due July 23rd. We had our children going to a Christian school and have pulled them all out this past Jan. to homeschool.
A friend forwarded me your blog today…the Lord knew I needed encouragement. Thankyou for your faithfulness , you have blessed my homeschool journey.
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A wonderfully encouraging story. Thank you.
Tania
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GREAT post! Our thoughts exactly. This is our 18th year of homeschooling … so, we started in the “dark ages”.
Our two youngest are in 1st grade, so I have at least 11 years left. I wouldn’t want to spend my time on anything else … family is the BEST.
Mama of 13
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Kimberly Reply:
March 31st, 2009 at 7:21 am
Thanks Laurel,
It’s nice to “meet” others who remember what it was like homeschooling before anyone else ahd hearda bout it.
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Wow, what a wonderful story. It is truly inspiring. I really love your reasons for homeschooling and I really liked your post about public schools.
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Wow. What a wonderful story. I want to share this with my family & friends who ask why we home school. I will refer them here from now on because you put the words to how I feel about why I do it! Thanks!
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What a wonderful story. I’m so impressed with your parents in making those choices that felt right for them and how you’ve obviously benefited from it so much. Thanks for sharing!
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What an amazing testimony to God’s goodness and plans. I am a six year cancer survivor myself. The cancer made me barren but our Glorious King has blessed me with two beautiful children through adoption. He is so good. Thank you for sharing your story and why you homeschool so beautifully. I recently found your blog and have been taking a moment to read a bit each day. It is a great encouragement to me.
Blessings,
Tracy
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Raising Olives Reply:
August 29th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Tracy,
Thanks for sharing your testimony of God’s goodness to you. Congratulations on your children!
Blessings,
Kimberly
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Tracy Altubalil Reply:
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:26 am
I am so happy your mom survived, that is AWESOME, My mom fought cancer for 2yrs also, it was such a hard time, I am blessed that I had her for so long and greatful she didn’t get it until I was about 37, she fought so hard, her main thought was to not leave us behind, her youngest was almost 30, she knew that no matter your age you need your MOMMA!!! she passed away, but is not gone she waits for us in heaven and walks with JESUS, I am so greatful for the time I had her, and GOD BLESS all that lose their mommas young, I can’t imagine how painful that must be, I am 40 now and I miss her so much.
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Hi Kimberly,
Thank you for sharing your story. Awesome testimony of our Lord and Savior.
We too began in the dark ages, when our oldest was 9. 23 years later we are still hs-ing our littles that weren’t even born yet then – 4 hs grads and 6 still at home, ages 5-17. I have more regrets in my life than I’d like, but homeschool is not and never has been one of them. It is a blessing we are daily thankful for, and plan to continue for the next – at least – 13 years.
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:16 am
Lisa – thank you for sharing your encouragement and experience with long term homeschooling. So far our oldest will be 31 when our youngest graduates, so as of now we won’t have as many years homeschooling as you have.
How has homeschooling changed for you? Are you tired of it? Any advice as we head into what will probably be the last half of our homeschooling life?
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Lisa @ Me & My House Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 10:46 am
Hs has mainly changed in that we went from 5 girls, generally eager to do get “seat work” done quickly and get on with life, to adding boys (and another girl.) Some of our older ones were graduated by the time the boys began more academic learning. I had to restructure. Things such as active breaks after each short-timed seat work lesson, so we don’t “finish” the seat work time until later now.
I’m not tired of hs-ing at all. Although I am tired some days
and more children can bring more challenges. In addition to the active needs of little boys, we have one who is a struggling learner. But God didn’t call me to a life of easiness; He called me to a life of faithfulness.
So much of what you said is our thoughts also. The snuggling and together, building relationships. People taking precedence. The reading the Word, discussing it, studying, and working together. We do most lessons as “family studies”. With boys my dh has added much more outside activities than I prefer, as I don’t like the ramifications of them. Way too much running and such. But sports are important to him.
The best advise I can give is to keep the vision in mind, why you do what you do. It will keep you going on those hard days. Even if you never want to quit, there will be days when you are just tired or it has just been a hard day. We do what we do to honor God, we are faithful to persevere. We look to the hope of the future.
Although our structure of schedule may change over time, our teaching does not. We know what is important and non-changing. We teach our children at home, so they can develop a biblical perspective of all of life that they can apply in their own lives, wherever God may lead them. Our focus is to teach our children to love God and obey Him, to love one another and to serve others, and to learn how to reason biblically and apply it to their lives, and to love to be a lifelong learner.
Thanks for asking. I love to share God’s goodness and grace in this area.
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Lisa – Thanks for taking the time to share your wisdom with me. I do see our homeschool changing as our boys have begun more formal academics. I appreciate knowing that that will continue to be different.
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Lisa @ Me & My House Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 10:24 am
God never allows us to be stagnant, constant change for our growth. Be blessed on the journey!
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What an inspiring story! I didn’t get cancer at 35, but I had a sober revelation that I, too, want to spend every day with my kids for as long as the Lord gives me life. What a blessing it is to be home with my children. I cannot imagine if God had not turned my heart back home and we had not had our more recent baby. I’m so glad I’m not in the rat race of academia any longer! My husband and I also value character above education. We want our kids to have a heart for the Lord first and foremost. Secondly, we want them to have a grasp of history and science so that they can praise God for His work. Finally, we want them to be able to communicate effectively so that they can always be ready to give a defense of their beliefs. We do lots of activities, too, but that’s just icing on the cake!
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Your story gave me chills! Very inspiring indeed. I’m new to your blog and I’m looking forward to digging through your archives.
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Thank you so much for sharing your story. I look forward to reading more. You helped me to want to also choose what is best!!
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That is an amazing and heartwarming story. I thank you for tell it.
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Thanks for this. So so encouraging and so much heart in it. Which there has to be in order to run this race. I wish we’d met at Blissdom….maybe next time!
http://bit.ly/cWSzbl
Blessings!
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Oh my goodness…I just got major chills reading this post! Thank you so very much for sharing your reasons and your story! I discovered you through Smocity and I plan on following your beautiful, inspiring (blessed) family!
Thank you!
Shelby
** I realize you can’t have much time with such a large family but I thought I’d link to my post as to why we are HS’ing
http://sweetviewfromthehills.blogspot.com/2009/09/homeschooling.html
You have inspired me after peeking around your blog!
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I just found your blog a few days ago. I love reading it during my daughter’s nap time.
This story about your mom is amazing. I’m the youngest (by a lot) and my mom was diagnosed with cancer at 53. It went into remission and came back 3 years later and she passed away. I was 10 when she died.
It is truly a blessing that your mom is a survivor. God’s plan for everyone is different. I’m saddened at times that my mom isn’t here but I do know that she is with Jesus in heaven.
Thank you for sharing your journey and your family with everyone. I hope someday to be blessed with many children as well. For now I’m blessed with a really great daughter who just turned one.
Thank you again.
Sam
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OMG! This is the most amazing story, not about homeschooling but about your mother. I was afraid you were going to leave us hanging. Not that the hs story isn’t important. I think you may be influencing me to hs. We have some friends we go to church with, the husband has been diagnosed with a rare form of esophageal cancer. No one has ever seen a case like his before. It’s spread to his abdomen & lymph nodes. They are fighting as hard as they can knowing that there may not be much of chance for him on this Earth. They’re ok with him dying, knowing he will be with our Father, it’s those that will be left behind that they’re most concerned about (they have a 2yo son). And even though he’s confident in his faith, he still struggles with the pain this cancer is causing. The story of your mother is giving ME hope for them & I hope it will be encouraging to them as well. Thanks so much for sharing.
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:20 am
Praying for the family in your church.
Homeschooling was one of the greatest gifts that my parents gave to me. (The first being teaching me of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.)
Homeschooling my children has been one of the greatest gifts that my children have given to me. I am so thankful for that time and relationship with my kids.
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What an amazing story! Prayer really works! Patience and longsuffering and enduring to the end blesses us for eternity! Thanks for sharing this! I often wonder if I should be homeschooling – but I lack the patience and the faith to do it. With the right prayers and guidance – I’m sure I’ll do what is asked of me – when it is asked! -kg
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Your story is amazing – thank you for sharing it and Priase to GOD for healing your mom.
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Thank you for sharing your story. I am a 35 year old mom of a 7, 5, and 2 1/2 year old. I was diagnosed with a pretty fatal form of cancer and had a stem cell transplant less than a year ago. I have been home schooling through it all, and it is very encouraging to read of someone else who did it. Praise God for healing your mom. It is amazing and encouraging to see what a profound impact we can have on our children. This gives me a much needed boost in confidence!
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I was so anxious to read what happened with your mom. I let out a breath of relief when I read that she is waiting for her 19th granchild. Whew! Praise the Lord. This Story made my day (Lord willing, I will homeschool my 14-month-old daughter and future children as well)!
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please tell your mother that A)i am praising God she is still here awaiting another grandchild and B) her story spoke volumes to me and solidified what i felt God telling me.
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God just moved in amazing way through you in this moment. I was only searching for homemade chalkboards, & came across your site. I was planning to homeschool my 2 children when I found out I was pregnant with our 3rd & decided not to. 4 days after our 3rd child was born, our oldest daughter was dianosed with leukemia. It isn’t a good idea to have her exposed to so many children, so I will be starting her Kindergarten year homeschool. I knew deep down that God had put that on my heart & that was what He wanted for our family. I feel as though people think I am a bit crazy because I talk often of how her cancer has drastically blessed our family in many, many ways. No mother wants to see her child suffer & we have been in places that I NEVER want to relive, but God has also moved in our lives drastically & radically over the last year & a half since she was diagnosed. She is doing very well & I am certain that she has been given her own ministry through her circumstances. I know that she will share her testimony with hundreds… impacting lives & bringing people to Christ… she already has.
As this school year approaches, I am getting nervous & still continue to ask God, “are you sure you picked ME to do this?! If you did, I’ll do it… but are you sure?” haha. I am feeling anxious, intimidated, & most of all, nervous! Reading what you wrote about your mother’s cancer being a blessing that lead to homeschool was like God Himself coming to me & saying… “you see, I chose you indeed! & stop feeling so crazy about proclaiming my blessing through the storm. You know I turn what’s intend to harm you into good!”. Reading your words was almost like reading my own! Through this fight, our family has learned what matters & my husband & I have goals for our family that we may have never discovered during the “daily grind”. We want our children to love & serve a faithful God (who has shown that to our entire family), to value this family unit, to be close, to serve others, & have a heart for the Kingdom.
Thank you for this post. It honestly was as if God used you JUST to speak to me in a dramatic way. I look forward to following your blog.
God bless!
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Hi, I have been enjoying your blog these past few days! Thank you for sharing! This post about your mom was so special to me, I am so thankful that she is still here and also for their choice to homeschool, back then. I was diagnosed 8 months ago (age 37) with breast cancer and continued to homeschool my kids throughout cancer treatment, although our “schooling” looked different, it was so meaningful and I would not have wanted to do it any other way, nor did I feel called to do it any other way. Please know that people asked why would I not place them in public school during my treatment however, that was so clear, from the point of diagnosis, to both my husband and I, that that would be the worst situation for our kids. Instead, we traveled the journey together and my hope is that we are/will be better because of it
Again, thanks for sharing! Blessings to you! ~C
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Oh my,what a wonderful story.I am crying!I am so glad your Mom is still here.What a absolute miracle.God worked miracles in your family,in so many ways.Good for you to embrace this,with your own Children.You are a remarkable family.I am blessed,to be able to read about it.Thank you.Blessings,Marla Grace
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What a beautiful amazing story about how God can use the trials in our life to move us in an entirely new direction!
Thank you for sharing this today with the HS Village! I am inspired beyond words!
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I remember reading the story about your mom a long time ago. It was amazing then and it’s amazing now! Thanks for linking up!
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WOW! What an amazing story! I’m in tears. Praise God that the Physician healed her to see her children and children’s children. That is absolutely awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing!
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