This wasn’t the original “plan” that she had mapped out for her life. Our oldest daughter was set to go to cosmetology school in the summer…that was until a beautiful courtship began that proved to be a more desired path. Her number one desire has always been to become a wife at a young age, physician but a “career” before that was just filler for her.
It didn’t take long for sh
e and her suitor to know that marriage was in the very near future; say, a few weeks after her high school graduation and 18th Birthday!
We are in the throws of planning a wedding…and continuing to home educate! My husband and I are super excited about all of this.
Knowing myself very well, I’m thankful that our “style” is relaxed. The reason is that if we were doing a more traditional style (primarily workbooks and textbooks), I’d be writing a post condemning myself about how far behind I’ve fallen.
Everyday hasn’t been nose-in-a-books focused as much as it has been life experience focused.
We’ve never had a packed schedule when it comes to the daily-ness of studies. I haven’t been driven by schedules (even though I often times fantasize about it. I have the purchased planners to prove it!).
I originally thought that I’d be overwhelmed with planning our daughter’s wedding, but overall, it’s been pretty chill. Thanks to family members and friends that have gladly offered to help, it frees me to continue to focus on the home front.
On Letting Her Go…
As mentioned earlier, Aubrey had decided that when she graduated high school that she was going to leave home and live with my sister in another state. My husband and I were more than comfortable with that because we know that she’s prepared and frankly, it would have been time. We want her to grow as a young woman. We’ve taught her to seek God’s truth and that it is a must that she thinks and learns to do for herself because we aren’t going to always be there to give her all the answers or to bail her out. She’s ready.
When the prospect for marriage came, the same applied. We’ve taught her how to think and do for herself, but she’s also been (and is continuing to be) equipped to be a wife to her husband by learning Biblical principles of womanhood, to seek God in ALL things, keep her home, prepare meals, serve others, desire to be her husband’s helpmate. She’s ready and willing to continue to learn.
Planning a wedding and preparing our daughter for marriage will only last a very short season. I’ve determined to bask in every moment of it that I can. Her study material has changed. There are some things that just don’t matter as much anymore.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3 John 4)
Anyone reading this post can easily insert a different life event in the place of planning a wedding and continuing to home educate.
Perhaps you, your spouse, child or close family member are dealing with issues that can be life altering. A new season or opportunity may be on the horizon and its THE chance to take hold of it and continue to home educate.
I pray that in all of this, you’ll gain and maintain perspective to deal with the main thing; the well-being of your family and relationships.
Kela makes her home with her husband and six children. She can be found writing at Pursuing What Is Excellent and can be followed on Twitter (@Kela__Nellums).
This is such a grace giving post. It is nice to see from an outside perspective how you are embracing this season, and it will go such a long way toward helping your whole family appreciate and celebrate with each other. Lovely!
Thank you so much for this lovely comment, Christine. The perspective that I’ve gained from all of this is that we must stay flexible and open to God’s guidance. He is faithful and has proven this over and over again. 🙂
This is great – it is so exciting to see young godly people moving into new seasons of life. Even more exciting is to know that they have been trained and prepared for such a time, such a change. For sure there will be things to learn and mistakes made but their hearts are set on God’s ways and i find that exciting. Thanks for sharing this part of your journey with your family.
Belinda, I’ve gained much from YOU during this time of bringing up my daughter! Thank you!
My daughter’s fiance’s mother and I talk all the time about our children; their willingness to be led.
Oh, the conversations we’ve had about when everything isn’t going to look “pretty” 100% of the time. LOL As you said, their hearts are set on God’s ways.
Yes, life experiences are just as important, if not more important than learning from books. Thank you for sharing your heart with us!
Thank you, Joy! Honestly, most of my learning came years into my marriage when we decided to home educate our children.
The teacher shows up when the student is present. 🙂
Wow-this is exciting! I bet you and your daughter are learning tons just in planning a wedding–budgeting, growing closer, planning, organization, etc.
Thanks, Theresa! Yes, we are. Since we have to plan the wedding at a distance there are a couple of challenges in knowing exactly what a venue is like, but we know that no matter what, the most important aspect of the day is their establishing their covenant.
We are SO excited!! 🙂