Homeschooling: My Family's 19-Year Journey

A native of Seattle, Vida Oliphant Sneed is the youngest of the
five girls born to parents Clarence A. Oliphant and La Verna D.
Jones Oliphant, both originally from Iowa. While growing up, Vida
discovered these two truths: we all are created with a particular
“bent” and our life’s assignment is to learn how to submit that
“bent” to the Master’s hand.  Based on Deuteronomy
6:5-9, Vida did submit and began her life-rewarding homeschool
journey. Vida graduated from high school at age 16 and attended the
University of Washington for two years before transferring to
University of Southern California where she graduated with a BA in
English. She returned to Seattle to marry the love of her life,
Steve Sneed and God blessed them with six children. Vida received
her Elementary Education Teaching Certificate and taught in the
Seattle Public Schools for a very short time. The Lord redirected
her course to homeschooling her then three children. This was a
life-changing, will-bending journey of faith that culminated in 19
years of homeschooling all six children while providing care for
other children the Lord sent along the way. Vida says, “For 19
years I quit every morning telling the Lord I can’t do this. It’s
too hard for me. And He responded, ‘You’re right you can’t. Let me
do it through you.’ And He did.” Vida and Steve have five
grandchildren and one one the way. In their spare time, they
spend quality time with family, travel, and are very active in
their church and community. She currently serves as Co-Assistant
Superintendent of the Christian Education Ministry at First A.M.E.
Church in Seattle, Washington. Hope4Today is an outreach
program of Yield to the King Ministry. You can reach us
through our website yieldtothekingministry.org