At just six years old, my daughter Susie fell in love with nature. Her days were filled with gardening, collecting plants, and sketching leaves. That early curiosity blossomed into a lifelong appreciation for creation, the Creator, and the beauty of communicating wonder, through both poetry and paint.

My son Joseph amazed me with his fascination for both space exploration and microbiology—at just five years old, he was equally thrilled by the vastness of the universe and the intricacies of molecules. His wonder reminded me of my father, who worked for NASA in the space shuttle program and inspired a multigenerational love for space. From the time Joe was small, he was amazed at the vastness and detail of the universe. Now, as a teen, he is a worship leader and pianist who constantly turns his heart to praise the God who designed everything and spoke life into being.

My daughter Anna, who struggled with dyslexia, found her passion for art and storytelling. Her determination to overcome challenges came from her love for creating and sharing stories. Watching her grow into an artist and author has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. Anna had many passions as a child and endless energy and curiosity. Her curiosity often showed up as big messy projects. Now she is impacting her generation through her art, storytelling, musical gifts, and her love for the lost and hurting.

Then there’s my oldest son, Isaac. At 13, he wanted to be a chef. But as he grew, his passions shifted and evolved. He wanted to be a dancer, voice actor, explorer, and film maker. Today he’s a music and podcast producer, a career that allows him to work from home and spend as much time as possible with his young family. His journey has shown me that passions don’t have to stay the same—they can grow and change, just like the people who hold them.

Our family grew when we adopted five children who needed extra time to discover their interests. It took patience, love, and a lot of exploring, but eventually, they found joy in crafting, crocheting, photography, pottery, music, surfing, gardening, horses, and creating. Watching them discover hobbies that brought them happiness reminded me that education isn’t just about academics—it’s about helping each child find their unique spark. They struggled with academics for several years because they had to learn English when they came into our family; but building skills for life is so much more than math, science and spelling!

When I look at my children, I see echoes of my father’s love for space, my grandmother’s determination, my mother’s passion for Jesus, and my own joy in learning. This journey hasn’t just shaped my children—it’s shaped me, too. When I first started homeschooling I struggled with the thought that “if I don’t know it all, how can I teach them?”

I soon learned that it’s not about teaching them facts and figures. It’s about showing them the power of curiosity, being an example, and guiding them into exploration and research without letting go of the wonder of it all!

Homeschooling is about so much more than teaching subjects. It’s about nurturing hearts, building connections, and creating a culture of curiosity that fuels a lifetime of learning.

If you’re just beginning your homeschooling journey, I want you to know this: the work you’re doing matters. You don’t have to know it all. Your kids were placed in your family because you have what they need to thrive! Whether you’re teaching math at the kitchen table, encouraging your child to paint their first masterpiece or watching them discover a new passion, you’re building something extraordinary.

Every moment of love and effort you pour into your home is creating ripples that will extend far beyond what you can see today.

Don’t lose sight of your ultimate purpose! To be a homeschooling mom is a calling and a challenge.

So on the days when you feel weary, remember: you’re not just teaching your children—you’re shaping their hearts, their futures, and the legacy they’ll carry forward.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9

Do you have a child who struggles with dyscalculia? Look into Math Craft, which was created by Sarah and her mother Georgia Janisse: