A Heart at Home: Intro

The first time I walked into the photo lab at the University of Minnesota and smelled the chemicals I knew I was "home". I had taken a few other art classes before I could get into the next available 101 class. But once in, I had an immediate sense of peace and knowing that photography was what I was "made to do". And I did...for a season (albeit a short one). I haven't had a decent camera in my hands for years and I don't remember the last time I came home smelling like chemistry. Now there is a new passion in my heart. Although I resisted this endeavor for a long time, once I dove in, that familiar sense of homecoming washed over me. The only thing different is I don't feel like I was "made" to do this. Instead, I feel like I've been "grown" to do this.

The "this" is home schooling our three children. In my head and on these posts I like to call it home educating. I'm so visual that I hear the word "schooling" and immediately I see a chalkboard, rows of desk and the attendance sheet. Our home "school" definitely doesn't look like that.

In a series of posts, I will "show" you what our home education looks like. I have asked all the questions that I am now being asked. So as a help for moms, dads, and any perspective home educators, I will post my answers to the common questions.

There are plenty of sites that have statical breakdowns of home education vs. public or private, charts and the like. That's not what you'll find here though. I'm just a mom who is walking down a road I said I would never walk. I'm just a mom doing the best I can (and too often less than the best) each day. I have lots more to learn but what I've already learned I want to pass on to others. If the Lord is perhaps tugging at your heart, I hope that my reluctant journey into the land of home education will encourage you to step out in faith while you stand back in awe of what our God can do with a willing heart.

Everything having to do with home education here on miscel(Lainie)ous will have the label "a heart at home". I will use the title space to break down each question and sub-point. Hopefully it won't be confusing. If it is give me a holler and any suggestions to clear it up. Also, if you have a question that I haven't answered, you can ask me and I will try my hardest to answer it.

I don't know how long our home education season will be but I hope that it is a long one. Whether your season is long or short, I hope you find encouragement here. For those "investigating" home schooling, my prayer is for clear direction from the Lord, a heart to obey and most of all peace.

note: These posts are usually written at night. Don't hold my typos against me :)