Dear Homeschool Kids

At the very least let’s all stop pretending like there’s nothing wrong.

The Accidental World-Changers

  Photo by Darcy S., used with permission HA note: The following is reprinted with permission from Darcy’s blog, Darcy’s Heart-Stirrings. It was originally published on Oct. 8th, 2014.   They wanted to raise a generation of people who would change the world with our excellence, character, and superior skills, unafraid of doing right and standing alone. Well, here we

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Conclusion

“My parents did a masterful job of covering up and to this day are revered and treated as role models by church members that I grew up around. There have been a few people that have believed me and my siblings, but the vast majority of them are convinced that my siblings and I are making everything up.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Nine

“The intense joy that I felt in that moment is beyond description but I will never forget it. Afterwards it was like Jesus came down and was holding me, whispering to me that how my parents and our homeschool organization portrayed Him to me was very, very wrong.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Eight

“I remember her telling me on one occasion that she was going to call CPS on my parents. I freaked out at that point… The thought of losing my siblings was too much to bear. In tears, I begged her not to call, assuring her that it wasn’t ‘that bad’ and we were used to it anyway.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Seven

“I am really scared. I hear Mom tell John to go get some wood and make a pile in the backyard garden. After a few minutes Mom yells for us all to go outside in the backyard. Mom and Dad say that they are going to burn some of our things. Dad has started a bonfire and we have to sit there.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Six

“I try for her because she looks so weak. I cry inside for her. I can’t let her see me cry because I need to be strong for her. I try to make her feel better. I tell her that we are princesses in disguise and that mom is the evil person that we will be able to punish later when our father comes to save us.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Five

“I see Mom standing over me with the belt in her hand. I see anger, hate and rage in her eyes. In a quick glance around the room, I see John standing in his underwear in the corner sending seething glances at Mom. Abby is curled up on the floor sobbing.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Four

“Mom seems like she is having fun as she goes through the house ransacking every room in it. She says that we have fifteen minutes to each get our assigned rooms spotless. She says that our character is more important than our school work and that if we never get any school work done that is fine with her.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Three

“There is a lady that goes to our church that does not live very far away. I know I can make it there by morning time. This is the third time I have tried to run away and Dad always caught me before I got off our road. Now I have made it farther then ever and I’m not going back.”