Thanks for your concern. Nothing to worry about. I was just away on vacation with limited internet access. Plus, try as I might, I cannot do this website on the phone very well. But I am back home now so you'll see me around like usual. =D
That's awesome TMG! I'm glad you're here with us and I am honored to memorize alongside you! I look forward to seeing you announce your memorization of Mark!
But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. John 16:4
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:12-13
These are fascinating passages for me. Jesus was speaking face-to-face with his disciples throughout his ministry, yet there were some things that he could not tell them. Sometimes he withheld because they were not ready for it yet. At other times he could not say it because the timing was not right. Even when he was on the verge of dying he had more to say but he could not. Instead, he made plans to get his word to his disciples after his death.
It is frustrating dealing with the timing of God. How often have I asked God to just speak plainly to me about his will, yet only hear his silence. How many times have a I demanded he move, not knowing the full consequences of what I'm asking. I'm like a two-year-old who wants to play with a tarantula, getting mad at my Father because he won't let me. Yet when I need to know something, he lets me know at the right time every time. I guess that's were trust comes in. At some level we have to trust God to accomplish in us his will in the right way and at the right time, and depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us along the way.
Well the bullying disappeared instantly, which is what prompted my mom to pull me out of public school (this was pre-smartphone/internet times mind you). Flexibility in class times. More freedom for independent study. Not having to wait on others who weren't getting a subject. Time to catch up when I struggled with a topic. Freedom to visit places as a field trip when I wanted. Not having to listen to political drivel woven into the curriculum that assumes God does not exist. Better food. My social circle was mostly people from my church so the peer pressure was less and not as dangerous. I was also better prepared for college than probably 95% of the public school people I knew. Of course, I started out in public school so I noticed things like this more than I would had I not started out there. I hated public school. HATED it. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, especially now.
Right now I have a family across the street that has seven kids and are homeschooled. They are all polite and very smart. None of them deal with anxiety issues and their lives are mostly drama free except normal sibling stuff every family deals with. They place sports and instruments well. Two of them have gone on to college and are excelling there. They are a joy to be around. Once you get out into life on your own you'll see the difference in you as well I'm sure.
Have you ever heard the phrase "the grass is always greener on the other side"? Usually the reason that the grass is always greener on the other side is because there is more poop on that side of the fence.
I've been home-schooled and I've been public-schooled, and I was always happier away from public education. Public school is a den of persistent rot that invades every area of the building. Curriculum is chosen based upon political opinion rather than empirical fact. The teachers are overworked and underpaid, and most barely know their subject matter because of it. Bullying is rampant both in person and online. The peer pressure to do things you wouldn't normally is often overwhelming. The whole experience leads to confusion and depression. I wouldn't wish public school on anyone.
The reason you seem sheltered or different from the rest of the people is that you are different, and that is a good thing. You do not have that persistent rot on you that comes from constant exposure to secular society. Those other kids that seem so glamorous are really covered in societal poop, and it doesn't take you five minutes to see it when you are around them. They do not see it, however, because they have been wallowing in it for so long they do not even smell it any longer. Don't envy them; pity them.