Thank You Lord

Here's some really great information I just read from my state homeschooling news:
August 8, 2008

California--A Great Victory for California Homeschoolers

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

In a unanimous decision, the California Court of Appeal for the Second
Appellate District today ruled that "California statutes permit home
schooling as a species of private school education."

Today's decision stands in stark contrast to the opinion this same
three-judge panel issued in February, which would have made California
the only state in the union to outlaw home education had it remained
in effect.

"It is unusual for an appellate court to grant a petition for
rehearing as this court did in March," said HSLDA Chairman Mike
Farris, "but it is truly remarkable for a court to completely reverse
its own earlier opinion. We thank you for your prayers and give God
the glory for this great victory."

When the court vacated its earlier decision on March 25, 2008, it
invited interested organizations to file friend-of-the-court briefs.
"I have never seen such an impressive array of people and
organizations coming to the defense of homeschooling," said Farris,
who was one of the attorneys who argued the case on rehearing along
with Alliance Defense Fund attorney Jeff Shafer, who represented the
father. The father was also represented by Gary Kreep of the United
States Justice Foundation.

California's three largest homeschool organizations, California
Homeschool Network, Homeschool Association of California and Christian
Home Education Association joined together in one brief to defend the
right of all parents to homeschool. HSLDA, Family Protection
Ministries and Focus on the Family also joined in a separate brief.
Numerous other private organizations came to the defense of home
education as did California's governor, attorney general, and
superintendent of public instruction.

We are extremely grateful to all of the organizations who worked
tirelessly to protect and preserve homeschooling freedom in
California. We are also thankful for you, our members, for your
prayers and support during this trying season.

The freedom to homeschool is a precious gift from God. But keeping it
free requires vigilance and perseverance. We must continue to work
together diligently to preserve this precious freedom in California
and elsewhere.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President