A Bit About Me

Dear Homeschooled Teen/Homeschooling Parent,

My name is Joanna Oei. You may call me Jo for short if Joanna is a bit of a mouthful.

I started this blog because I want to help you. I know how difficult homeschooling can be. The loneliness. The desire to be normal like the other teens. The pressure of living up to everyone's expectations. The idea that our parents are being overly demanding. The question of believing the same as our parents do.

The wanting to know if there is even a point to this life. 

Yes, we do feel these things, even though it doesn't look like it on the surface. 

Many times we feel them but we hide them. Because we don't want to disappoint our family/church. Because we want to avoid long lectures/scoldings from our parents. 

I can tell you honestly that I've felt all of the above at one point or the other. I contemplated running away, harming myself, and even committing suicide, as I got deeper into depression over the idea that I wasn't good enough for my family. These thoughts began when I was very young (around ten/eleven years old).

Out of those feelings came a horrible addiction - an addiction to reading graphic material. It nearly led to watching pornography. 

But it was God's love that drew me back. That made me realize my reason to live. That made me realize that He is the One Who determines my self-worth. That made me realize my sin and His amazing grace.

Do not misunderstand me. My parents are wonderful, God-fearing people, my dad being a missionary and my mom being a housewife. I consider my home life to be a good one.

Then, why did I feel all of the feelings I described earlier?

Because I lacked a relationship with God. 

I read the Bible. I know the Bible stories inside out. I studied books on Christian beliefs and on the great Christian ministers.

But knowledge doesn't necessarily equal faith. 

It was only earlier this year that I realized I had fallen far from the faith my parents have. I have since repented and am asking God to help me grow in Him.

If you had doubts about your faith, about where you are going in life, about the various unique problems we homeschooled students face, then this blog is for you. 

This blog is for you, my fellow homeschooled students. I want to help you avoid the mistakes I made by showing what I went through. And I want to help you if you are experiencing any of the problems I face. 

This blog is also for you, my dear homeschooling parents. Hopefully... this will give you insight into some possible thoughts of your teen. This is not meant for you to confront your teen and ask, "Why do you do this? Do you really feel something like this?" No... this blog is meant for you to ask yourself, "Does my child feel/do this? If he/she does, then what do I do about it?"

Ultimately, only God is the One who can help you. So keep your eyes on Him. Whatever problems you face, I can only give you imperfect solutions. God gives you the perfect one.

I look forward to hearing from you. Don't be afraid to tell me your thoughts. Be it in the comments or in  an email. 

God loves you. Don't forget that.

Yours truly,

Joanna

A Minister's Daughter

Jeremiah 29:11