Several years ago some fellow homeschoolers decided to open a private school. I was new to homeschooling then and while I was tempted to give it a try I knew it wasn't right, we needed to be homeschooling. The school went through several changes over the years and is now Liberty Youth Academy. Every year we wonder, pray, think and try to figure out what each of the kids need that year. Dylan has always asked to go to "real" school but every year I am determined to find a way for him to love learning at home. Every year I have looked into this school, speaking with the director and looking over their blog, wondering if we should have Dylan attend but then go back to that determined thing. I received an email from LYA in March announcing their summer program and again considered having Dylan attend. I spoke it over with Scott (told him how I had been looking into this school for a couple of years and just felt like maybe Dylan should go there) and we both felt like this was something we needed to consider and probably do for him. I went in and talked to Stephanie, the director, and after our meeting I just knew that this was the right place for Dylan. The environment was exactly what I was hoping it would be and Stephanie would be a wonderful mentor for him. I have to admit that I was very ashamed of myself for talking myself out of it for so long. I feel horrible that I let my pride get in the way of admitting that he needed something/someone other than myself. Anyway, I'm trying to get over it :). We had initially planned to just enroll him for the summer session to test it out but decided why wait. When you know something is right why do we insist upon waiting sometimes? Stephanie agreed to let him start right then with only 2 months left of their regular school year. So he has been attending LYA for 2 months and loving it. He only goes for half a day so he can still be with us at home and not miss too much of our family time but he loves it. He Loves It! And he is thriving in just a short time. He wrote a whole page essay with several drafts, something that would have been torture for both of us had I suggested it. (he really wasn't too excited about it but hey, he did it with only a small complaint which is HUGE) I am loving it too, I know it is right for him and I have enjoyed watching him grow and be excited to learn. I have enjoyed getting to know the staff (former homeschoolers with lots of experience) and being part of their school. Anyway, they had their end of the year program and if I had any doubt about the school it went right out when I saw their program, it was fantastic! The theme was Be The Hero Of Your Own Story. All year they have been learning about heroes and what it means to be a true hero. Each of the children chose a hero to study and they gave a little blip about them in between singing beautiful uplifting songs (I was having a really hard time keeping it to a few tears and not completely bawling).
Dylan and two of the other boys were Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. One of the teachers took pictures of all the kids dressed up as their hero and had put them in a slide show. They were gorgeous pictures, I think I need to have her take some of all the children.
Dylan's part was "Beacause of their courage and strength the Lord was able to protect them. Their example and miraculous protection taught a nation that their God was the ALL POWERFUL GOD! Like so many of our heroes they were firm in the faith that the Lord would help them if they did what He asked. We are inspired by them and we too are FIRM IN THE FAITH!
I'm so excited that he has the opportunity to learn in such a great environment. I hope that I have learned my lesson and will not allow the children to sacrifice for my stubborn pride. I'm so sorry Dylan!
