HOMESCHOOL-To Be or Not To Be?

Oh Friends, I can't tell you what a time we have had on this topic. To give you some background, our oldest attended a private pre-school and public Kindergarten. Our twins, who are two years younger attended public pre-school. I home schooled our oldest for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. I home schooled our twins for K and 1st. Last year our kids attended our churches new private school M.A.P.S.-mid America preparatory school. But this year the still small voice has been speaking. The most beautiful, awesome thing about it all is my husband is in complete unison with me under God to answer this call. I can't tell you just how much this means to me only to sum it up and say that it means everything. To think of hearing these whispers from God to home school in one ear and the grumbling of not homeschooling from my husband in the other would be utter chaos in my spirit. Thank THE LORD I have not been given that challenge. For those marriages that do, I have begun praying for them because that thought has become real to me through this chapter we have been writing.
What challenge do I have then? What is the point of the question in the title of this blog entry then? Ahh..well..
We have come against strong opposition to our agreement in this call to home school our now five children. I hesitate to being so transparent because I never want to hurt those I love. But I know, as you will see as you read on further, that blogs can be healing, therapeutic, just what THE DOCTOR ordered. So I will be real with you. Otherwise, I am keeping my mouth shut and not being a vessel of a very present help in time of need.
Opposition has come from family. Questions about: How can you home school five children? What if you are sick? Do you have a substitute? They need socializing. They need to get a quality education. These are our children too(we have a tight knit family). You live 5 minutes from a five star school, how can you offer anything better than what they can? Other things have been spoken to us that I refuse to repeat only because I don't believe they have merit of repeating and were only spoken out of pure emotion and not Christ-centered wisdom. (if you can't tell I am all for communication but I am not for bullying or speaking to hurt someone in order for them to cave to see your point of view as truth)
The answers: I don't have them all. I know that homeschooling is awesome. I have done it and I have seen it work in my children. They were VERY well behaved amongst the others in the school last year. Their character was high and they were very much on track with the others in their class. BUT ABOVE all else, WE have heard God and have chosen to follow Him to home school. That to me means more than any opposition or persecution we are facing. Of course I want wisdom from my elders and I want their blessing. BUT AS LONG AS ME AND MY FAMILY ARE DOING WHAT GOD ASKS OF US, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.
To top it off I "ironically" read this on

http://www.babeofmyheart.com/a-new-beginning/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BabeOfMyHeart+%28Babe+of+My+Heart%29

:
"My encouragement for YOU is be obedient in the Lord as He lays things specifically on your heart. Do not worry about what the world says or thinks. Decide this day who you want to please and live for. Will it be the world? Will it be your family? Will it be your friends? Or-will it be the Lord? Remember when you follow Him many will think you're crazy (most will!)..many will disagree(even those you love!!)..and you will have a million reasons not to follow..while the Lord offers only just ONE: Because it will bring Him glory. What is the Lord calling you to do today? Are you unsure of what to do? Ask yourself this question: Will it bring Him glory if I follow? HIS PLAN FOR MY LIFE IS GREATER THAN ANY PLAN I CAN CREATE. Fight the good fight..um the WORD says that! FIGHT! EEK! That means it won't be easy. But He will be my strength through it.
I have seen God's hand at work already because of our obedience. I'm excited to see what is to come and to be able to be used by Him for Him every day.

Love you all. Thanks for giving me some of your precious time today. God Bless.

Amber