Mother-Daughter Pilgrimage to Israel Before College

Raven Goodpaster Start Date: Feb 21, 2020 - End Date: May 20, 2020
  • Jerusalem, Israel

My Travel Story

by: Raven Goodpaster Start Date: Feb 21, 2020 - End Date: May 20, 2020
My mother and I have both worked hundreds of hours in preparation for my entrance into college, which many believed would never happen considering how far behind I was when we began our homeschool journey in 5th grade.  I found mathematics nearly impossible!  It took me three or four times as long to comprehend math as it did all other subjects, but my mother was absolutely unwilling to allow me to fall between the cracks.  She studied late at nights and weekends to understand the required material and be able to teach it in a way that I could understand, which was no small feat since math was never her strong point!  (It is now!)  After nearly 8 years of progressing from one math book to the next, we have accomplished what at first seemed could never be done.
     I'm thrilled to announce that I was recently accepted to William Woods University!  This is a success in response to my mother's stubbornness, my willingness to continue taking one step at a time in the right direction, and the grace of God.   In addition, I continue to take piano lessons and I have recently been promoted to a brown-belt in taekwondo.
     Since I can remember, my mother has emphasized the importance of talking to Jesus about anything, about everything, and keeping Him close, because no matter how many degrees, how rich, or popular someone is; when it's all said and done, the only thing that will matter will be that relationship with Him and how we've treated others'.   Step-by-step I walk this path imperfectly, but willing to continue without quitting. 
     As my time as a homeschooled student draws to a close, I would like for my mother and me to take a journey together to the Holy Land to visit all the places we've talked about, to see the land where Jesus lived, and to walk in His footsteps.  This would be the grandest finale of the leap of faith my mother and I took eight years ago as we opened to page 1 of our 3rd-grade mathematics textbook.  We've come a long way.  Thank you and God Bless You and your family.
    
  • Jerusalem, Israel