
Still you know that all you do in raising and educating your children is for that eventual day when they fly out of the nest and take their place in the world. You pray for their future mates and children, looking forward to meeting your grandchildren one day. You worry, even though you know you shouldn't. You imagine and daydream about what they will be like and long to see them walk uprightly with God all the days of their lives.
It has given me great joy to graduate three daughters and to watch countless friends graduate their own children. What are these children up to? Let me introduce you to some high school grads.
My oldest daughter, Katie Beth, graduated from high school at age 16 and commuted for four years to Stetson University. As a National Merit Finalist, she could have lived on campus with her scholarship, but instead chose to drive back and forth each day so that she could stay connected to our family and to the church. She won numerous awards in her four years of college and was the outstanding senior in both of her majors, English and Spanish. Katie Beth spent a semester in Mexico her junior year, her first time away from home. After college, she worked as an editor for Harcourt for a year and then went back for her master’s degree. Right now, she is teaching freshman English at the University of Central Florida. She is still living at home and is involved in ministry at our church.
Katie Beth found that the most difficult part of college was the intense animosity toward the Lord and His Word. She found herself having to stay on her toes, being ready to defend The Truth and share her personal testimony. She found that knowing the Word of God and reading Understanding the Times helped her so much to be ready to give an answer when one could be given. Sometimes she felt lonely, especially when she saw other Christians surrender their trust in Jesus and accept the lies of the world. RIght now Katie Beth is teaching two classes of Freshman English at UCF--what a great opportunity to serve the Lord and reach out to college students!
Julianna went to Stetson University and majored in Accounting and Information Systems. She works in the Health Care Information Systems field at Aon Hewitt. During her college years, she completed a summer internship with a Christian Financial Planning Ministry, which she loved. She has a passion to help people make wise financial choices and to line up their money management practices with the Word of God. Julianna also chose to commute, rather than live on campus and managed to combine school work, school fun, ministry, and family life in an amazing juggling act. Right now, she leads a LIFE group and sings on the worship team.

Gene is a friend of ours who was homeschooled all the way through. Since graduation, he has managed the family computer business. His customers trust and respect him. He cares for them and takes a personal interest in each account. God has imparted to him a wisdom beyond his years in the area of management and his parents are so thankful. The ultimate goal is for his father to be able to leave his job and manage the business full time. Then Gene will go to college. Until then, Gene is growing the business with his diligence and hard work.
Andrew could not decide between computers or music. He was an amazing piano player. He decided to double major at Stetson and graduated with a 4.0 in computer science and music performance/piano. He works for Google out in the Wild Wild West where he is plugged into a local church and playing the piano for the glory of God.
Marla graduated from homeschooling and went on to college where she majored in music and business. After graduation, she has a job in marketing for a small business and is active in her local church. Denisse graduated from homeschooling and after a year-long courtship, married a godly young man she met in her homeschool co-op. They have two lovely children and Denisse is a homemaker who plans to homeschool her own children. Her husband, a homeschool grad, joined the military where Daniel served his country for four years.

My friends, Zack and Brian started their own computer business--but that's another article.
Not all homeschool graduates hold on to their faith. Satan wants to steal the deposit godly parents have invested in their children. Don't stop praying for your teens after graduation...pray that they walk in the call of God on their lives and fulfill their destiny.

God is so good to us homeschooling moms. We are sometimes so busy that we miss the beauty of ordinary days with our beloved children. Take time to enjoy the special moments you have with your homeschooled teens this week...before too long you will be turning their tassel. Stay the course and continue to homeschool for the glory of God!
Homeschooling for the Glory of God!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)