Why I Homeschool?

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is place in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her."

-JR Miller

Why I Homeschool
A Religious Conviction

My mother, a single mom and devote Catholic,
worked four jobs to put me in Catholic private schools.
Her sacrifice to give me the best education led
me to realize how I too wanted to give my four sons the best education.

Attending Revival Temple (now Destiny Church
in San Antonio, TX) taught me a firm foundation on family values.

While walking toward the church sanctuary,
I over heard a mother state
how she homeschooled her children. Homeschool? What was that?
Was it really possible for one to school their own children?
As time went on, I became more curious each day.
My first born was still in diapers
but I realized I wanted to be that special influence in my children's lives.
Mom was so busy working;
I missed spending time with her.
But I could do this with my children.
I had a wonderful husband who supported me from day one.

Raising my children to serve God
has been my main goal for homeschooling.

I know that I alone will answer to Him
for my children's education.

Blessings to you and your family from ours,
Patricia Valdez

Proud Family

We were all so proud of our son Omar when he graduated from UTSA with his Kinesiology Degree.

He now is persuing a degree in Physical Therapy.

Omar Graduates from UTSA 2010

Proud Parents

I have a daughter! 2008

Maria Ogo

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ogo

and

Omar Valdez

son of Mr. and Mrs. Raul Valdez

were wed on

Aug. 2, 2008

at Cornerstone Church

in San Antonio, TX.

The happy couple went on a Caribbean Cruise

and are now residing in San Antonio, TX. 78230

Your prayers for their marriage are greatly appreciated.

Merry Christmas 2005!

I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health and joy.

As for our family we are all in good health, thank God. Plus, we are joyful, too. This past year has felt as though water has run through my fingers. The boys are all grown up. The only child that hasn�t pasted me up is Jesse. (See photo)

As you can see all my guys are fishermen. Whether they actually catch anything is another question.

Omar and Alex are now great fishers of men. I am proud to report that they have completed their "Leadership" course at Cornerstone Church where they both attend. They now lead others to Christ; which is my greatest joy.

Omar, whose now 21, has chosen to get his degree in Kinesiology. He teaches two groups of twenty kids each on Fridays. See his webpage at http://hcentralsa.org/PhysicalEd/photos.html . Everyday from 3-6 p.m. he supervises children at San Antonio Academy ; an all boy military school on French St. He has turned out loving kids as much as Raul and I do.

Alex, is our meticulous 18 year old mathematician, who has chosen to become a math professor. He will be graduating this May from homeschooling. Although he was homeschooled twelve years he has managed to receive a 10,000 scholarship to St. Mary�s University , be nominated to NASA�s Academic Honors Program, and have an all expense paid trip to NASA this past summer.

Christopher, is our 14 year old "social bunny" who loves basketball, playing his guitar and enjoys being with friends. He is the teenager who has the music around the house full blast. If you ever read the book " I love you, forever," He's that teenager in the book. Christopher is still deciding what he'd like to be.

Jesse, my rambunctious nine year old is excited about everything. He makes us laugh and sometimes; when he won�t obey, cry. He is full of energy. Raul says, "Hon, he�s the son that will keep us young." Actually, he has been our fountain of youth; bubbling over. He is presently enjoying reading the chronicles of Narnia series and also following his brother in Math. He loves playing all sports. There is nothing that he cannot do. He has numerous neighborhood children who actually argue over whose going to play with him next. He is a born leader. He too is an evangelist. Every Sunday morning he calls up the neighborhood kids and asks them, "Are you going to church?" I�m not too sure their parents appreciate the 9 a.m. wakeup call.

Raul and I took a Marriage Intimacy course, at our church New Life Ministries of San Antonio, this year and have rekindled our love for each other. He and I have reached our 24^th anniversary and are dreaming of a cruise for our 25^th.

I pray that you and your family will have a Merry Christmas; may you find comfort and joy in His name, Jesus, for he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

God Bless,

Raul and Patricia Valdez Family

2016 our family grew with a grandbaby and a new daughter.

First Grandbaby