Jayme Durant

This year marks a milestone for our family-twenty years of homeschooling. This former public school teacher didn’t plan to homeschool, it just sort of happened. My three-year-old daughter stood before me and begged me to teach her to read her Bible. That’s all the motivation I needed.

So we began our homeschooling journey.

My second daughter’s severe seizures beginning at the age of four limited our schooling options, so we continued homeschooling.

Now, twenty years later, my oldest child has graduated from college (last year) with the highest distinguished honors. Scholarships and honors line her resume, including an internship at the White House. Homeschooling apparently worked for her. My second daughter is now in a transitional life skills program for those with special needs at the local junior college. My son graduates from our homeschool this year, and my youngest daughter, next year.

Some years I loved homeschooling; other years, I struggled with it. Not sure I would do it all again.

I’m mostly satisfied with the results of our homeschooling experience, though. Through the years the kids pursued their interests and cultivated their unique gifts-they’re all talented musicians. They developed athletic skills, served on mission trips and sports camps, experienced the world of musical theater, traveled throughout the U.S. and England, and even sang the national anthem at the Ballpark in Arlington for the Texas Rangers in front of over 37,000 fans. The friendships they’ve cultivated will last a lifetime, they treat others with respect, and they’re fun to be around. Oh yes, they also do well academically.

I’m most grateful that they love the Lord and seek to please Him. I’ve rarely felt tempted to play the Holy Spirit’s role in their lives-they’re already sensitive to His leading. And I love the way they love each other. Nothing can compare to those rewards.