I Turned Down a Large Sum of Money.

In Alaska there are lots of homeschooling options. The state has a statute which basically says that if you are a child’s parent or guardian you can educate them. The end. No other requirements, no tests, no reporting. You are their mama and in control (as it should be!) Along with having a private tutor or being a part of a religious private school, one option is to homeschool as a part of the public school system. 

Because Alaska is so large and areas can be so remote, homeschooling used to be quite the neccessity. It meant schooling out of a box—correspondence school. Now things have changed and homeschoolers have an entire plethora of options. Here you can join a group (sort of extension of the public schools) and if you meet the requirements, you get money to support your students. A LOT of money. Around $2,000 a child. 

I have only homeschooled in Louisiana and Alabama both of which give parents a good bit of freedom. I was nervous about joining a group in which I had to test and report, but the benefits were great, and I was determined to get over my hesitation. I called. I registered. I waited for the call from the local field rep. 

I was MISERABLE the whole time I was waiting. The more I thought about it, the more convinced I was that I had made a mistake. I had no peace about it at all. I do not AT ALL judge anyone who chooses this option, but for ME it felt like I was selling my freedom. I saw dollar signs and started compromising my convictions! I had a heart issue. So by the time I got a call from the local field rep, I had decided to tell her that I wanted to withdraw my application. I told her that I felt I hadn’t had enough time to do good research and that I wasn’t comfortable with the decision I had made. I told her we would be homeschooling independently this year and reevaluating next year. And then I felt at peace. 

Except then I had to tell the kids that they wouldn’t be able to spend all that money I’d been talking about! Not only can you use the money to buy curriculum but you can also use it to support your kids’ education in other ways—even buying computers, iPads, desks, school supplies, and p.e. classes. Jathan was really wanting a desk and the rest of the kids were interested in music and dance classes. For these things I’m just trusting that we will find a way. 

Then on Thursday God blessed Jathan with a surprise. Pastor Mark’s wife, Jo, let Jackie know of a couple of guys who are moving and had things for sale and to give away. They had two desks, so we jumped at the opportunity to check it out! 

Jackie and Jathan went and when they returned they had a whole van full. It turns out these were young single guys and one of the desks was a gaming desk—what Jathan was REALLY wanting! The guys also had a gaming chair, headphones, and a HUGE tv all of which Jackie bought for $40. Jathan was elated—this was what he’s been wanting forever! Now he has a place to put his gaming keyboard and mouse. Plus since the boys got that tv, we moved their “old” tv into the girls’ room and now they both have smart TVs on which they can watch Disney+ (because we don’t have cable). 

I just felt like God gave us better than we were even asking for. He knew what Jathan really wanted but we hadn’t been asking for because we were trying to make our OWN way. We are very, very limited in what we can do on our own but our God is not. I need to stop forgetting that He has the riches of Heaven at His fingertips and shares them generously with us. 

Now I’m praying God will also bless Ryland and the girls with their hearts’ desires. How will He provide for music and PE classes? I’ll let you know.