Here’s something I learned from my 14 yo son tonight.  As background, he went on a mission trip with our church’s high school group to Juarez, Mexico, in early June.  So it’s been almost 3 months ago, right?  Well, tonight T and I were chatting about WWII (just because he’s really into it).  Then he mentions talking about WWII with some kids on the mission trip and that at some point a lady on the bus comes and talks to him.  Their conversation goes something like this:

Lady:  So, you’re homeschooled?

T:  Yes.

Lady:  Have you studied History?

T:  Yes.

Lady:  What kind of History?

T:  All kinds, all of it.

L:  Have you learned about Native American history?  (I think he said she asked about other history, too)

T:  Well, yeah.

L:  So do you know who invented the calendar we use today?

T:  The Mayans

(She then asks him some question about the number of tribes somewhere, and he says he thinks it’s 3)

L:  You’re right.

So I ask him who is this lady, he says the name and it’s not familiar to me (big church).  Then he says, I think she’s a teacher at a local public middle school, teaches history, I think.  Go figure.

Now I’m sitting here listening to this story, wondering how it will end.  In my mind are a couple of thoughts, “Now I’m really ticked off that someone would single out a homeschooled kid for a quiz, I bet she didn’t go to all the kids with those questions” together with “Wow, I hope he got it right because I’d have no idea.”  When he finishes, I just lean over, pat him on the knee and say with a smile, “Thanks for coming through, buddy.” 

So maybe I record all this so I won’t forget on the hard days.  We have never studied history formally.  Ever.  I tried a couple of times, but I just can’t get into teaching it (I just like learning the stuff I forgot in public school).  All I did was teach him to read.  He did the rest.