Weekly Wrap-Up: The Value of Long Term Goals
Mr. A’s small airplane and the view from up there! Amazing!
The value of long term goals came into distinct focus this week with my formerly homeschooled older children. Two of my children are on the verge of achieving very long term goals that have meant sacrifices of time and money as well as faith in their ability to persevere. Their example inspires me to make some long term goals in my life and watch for blessings on those goals.
Amanda has had the long term goal to serve in a mission that would use her strengths and her abilities. She has worked hard to learn a new language over the past four years to the point of being able to use it in a ministry to others. I have watched as she stepped out of her comfort zone and embraced not only a language but a culture. She also has spent lots of time volunteering in construction and now is ready to use those skills in Bolivia later this year.
Valuable part of her goal – Passport with Bolivian Visa.
So many hurdles have been met and overcome in the past few weeks, including FedEx losing her passport and visa in the mail. Yesterday the two of us flew to Los Angeles to transport the newly attained passport to the Bolivian consulate so they could reissue her visa. It was a successful trip and the people in the consulate were helpful, efficient, and encouraging.
Mr. D, my aspiring pilot, has reached the last leg of his pilot’s license process. His solo cross country and night flights are all logged into his logbook. He has a few more requirements to meet before he will have his shiny new license in his hands, probably by the end of the month. I have shared before how this has been his dream since he can remember and even though many people don’t understand why he would choose to skip college courses for now and focus on his flying, he has kept at it even when others were making him feel as if he were slacking. I am so proud of his attitude as well as his actual accomplishments. His attitude is something he can apply anywhere in his life, no matter the goal.
So if there is any doubt about the value of long-term goals…perhaps goals other than a college degree…I am writing to say that you don’t need to fear that road with your children. Personal long term goals have made a big difference in our family.
There is no greater joy than seeing your children make goals, stick with them, and then achieve them.
Wow! What wonderful goals our kids have achieved! They’re sure “going places”!
(I couldn’t resist. Sorry! LOL) Have you ever did a post on transcripts or awarding credits for college? I’m curious how others do it as I’ll need to do these things at the end of our year.
Jessy at Our Side of the Mountain recently posted…A Peak at Our Week: Session 3 Week 4 – We’re Heading Back Down the Mountain
Thank you for sharing my friend. Tell the kiddos that they are inspiring. I was just having this conversation with a friend. Goals. Different goals. Long term and striving. It’s worth it. Thanks for sharing!
Angie W recently posted…Ainslee’s Salt Water Taffy
Thanks Angie. I really want moms to know that even children who have different kinds of goals should be allowed to pursue them with our support. For Amanda it has taken until she is 27 years old to realize her goal but we have helped her as her vision kept changing. It was hard at times to watch this smart and spiritually minded girl work at a part time job as a bank teller and saving every penny she can. She has been blessed beyond imagination this past six months with so many “miracle” moments. Mr. A is in airplane heaven…can’t wait to see where it takes him now.
Thanks for the kind words Angie.
Clapping! Yes! My husband and I were just discussing our eldest two children’s passions and then how to help them reach long-term goals. Your post helps confirm much of what we talked about. Go Amanda and Mr A. – and congrats to you Mama!
Tricia recently posted…Homeschooling High School Update
It is a joy to watch…I love seeing how God shapes their lives when they leave the doors open.
Barb – I just read your entire post aloud to my husband. We speak so often about college and whether or not it will be right path for our children, and if perhaps pursuing a dream/goal actively may be more in line with what they want to do. Your words and the stories of your children give me hope and encouragement. Thank you. You are very wise, my friend. Thank you for leading us a little less far into this journey down the path.
Mary recently posted…Collage Friday – Feeling Like a New Person
Thanks for the nice comment Mary. I wanted to say that Amanda has finished two AA degrees as she has wandered through the last ten years since high school. She has had numerous jobs, including her online Hearts and Trees business. It has not been a straight line for her as she saw God’s hands opening and closing various doors. She did think she would be married and have started a family by now but since that has not happened she has kept busy working on her own spiritual goals and developing talents that can be used in a ministry. There have been tears and joy. I think though that looking back on it, my husband and I have just let her develop into her own person slowly. She is an amazing woman…and not just because she is my daughter.
Mr. A has struggled with the no college route, feeling at times that he is not on the right road. I keep telling him he is 19 years old and that this is the time to explore his dream and see where it leads. He would like to be a bush pilot missionary…preferably in Alaska. So, his next goal is to get to Alaska and stay for awhile to see if it is something that he really would like to pursue. My husband told him the other day that he would help him financially to reach that goal as a substitute for college if he wanted. Isn’t he amazing? I think he just wants to go to visit Mr. A in Alaska and fly around in an airplane.
My other adult son is more conventional and he went straight to college, finished his courses, and now has his full time computer web designing job where he is mostly a project manager. He is near-by and we get to see him just about every weekend.
So just keep the options open. Don’t get stuck thinking you have to do things the “normal” way and let your kids explore, find a mentor, and dabble when they are in high school. Sorry this got so long but it is something I have found that I am passionate about. We do not live in a world where our children have to go to college if they have a different goal in mind. I am a firm believer in the “gap year” concept.
What a wonderful, inspiring post, Barb! Their achievements are awesome!
Eva recently posted…Lucero Olive Oil Company :: Field Trip
This is very inspiring! I love that as a homeschooling family your children are pursuing their passion, not just a college degree. This is one of my hopes for my children, that they can spend their lives doing what gives them joy!
Jen recently posted…Weekly Photo Collage :: 1/25/2013 – Italy
For some of us it takes a long time to find our passion and I think it is a shame we make our children make such big life choices before they are ready. My daughter was a completely different person at 17 when she graduated high school…now that she has matured, she has a servant’s heart. Each child is different but I think that some are just not ready for college straight from high school. We need to take the stigma of taking time off away from those children and allow them time to explore a bit more before making huge and expensive life decisions.
We have discussed this at length with some friends over the last year. We have between us 9 children, four of whom are college age, and so far only one has opted for college or university; the others are all pursuing other goals. We’re pleased that they all are dedicated enough to follow their own individual goals and have the confidence in themselves to do so.
Eddie – The Usual Mayhem recently posted…Weekly Wrap-up: The ridiculously cold edition
Interesting Eddie. There are so many ways to continue our learning past high school that don’t include college. Especially now that it is so expensive and here in California the classes are so full you can’t get the ones you need. Thanks for the comment.
What a great post. You are so blessed!
Mary recently posted…Weekly Wrap Up – The One With the Big Book Score! 01/25/13
I so appreciate your sharing about older homeschoolers. My oldest is 12, and moving into a more “independent” homeschool phase. Thanks for your ideas.
Lisa Uotinen recently posted…Buttons
I was blessed by this post…I have home schooled 24 years and graduated four from home schooling, and I am seeing their goals accomplished, which has made the journey of home education so worth it. Thanks for sharing…I too need some long range goals.