Joyful Heart

So many times, when I tell another mom that I homeschool our children, the first response I hear is…"Oh, I could never do that.  I just don’t have the patience!" 

Can I let you in on a little secret?  (Neither. do. I.)   Well, maybe it is not quite a secret since my children could easily attest to it and my husband knows it quite well, too.  More importantly, I know it and, of course, nothing can be hidden from my Lord.

While trying to instill a love for learning, encourage strong friendships among siblings that will last, discipline in love, and achieve academic training, we are building our childrens’ minds and character AND God is shaping ours.  Whether that means molding me to be more flexible, more patient, more gentle, more loving, less self absorbed……. whew!

Becoming a mother and choosing to be with our precious children 24/7/365 has a way of amplifying my sinfulness and creates daily opportunities for the necessary refining process to take place.  I am willing to let Christ grow me in this area through the trials, challenges, joys, frustrations, and uncertainties as we walk on this journey we call homeschooling.  It is by no means easy and I definitely do not have the needed patience, naturally, ingrained in me.   I am starting to realize that I am also being homeschooled as it is Christ who is gradually (v e r y  gradually) making the necessary character changes in me. 

(Above: a recent volcano experiment….
Yes, an inactive volcano may look calm and peaceful enough, but at any time, it may rumble and roar, spilling forth gases, ash, and hot lava that lie beneath the surface – affecting all those in the surrounding area)

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.       (Proverbs 14:29)

A man’s wisdom gives him patience.  It is to his glory to overlook an offense.        (Proverbs 19:11)

Be completely humble and gentle.  Be patient, bearing with one another in love.      (Ephesians 4:2)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.         (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

In the above verses, patience seems to be linked to understanding, wisdom, humbleness, forgiveness, gentleness, contentment, and love.  Oh Lord, may you continue to train and teach me so that  I may possess these qualities in increasing measure, demonstrating them graciously in our home.

 

Addition:  I recently came across the following blog entry and I think it states it so well…  My Curriculum is My Kids

From the time our oldest child was just two years old, we have been attempting to learn ways to help our children hide God’s Word in their hearts.  Over the years, as we have been graciously blessed with more children, we have found several resources that are helping us in this endeavor.  Here are some of the things we have used over the years, as well as some online discoveries from other blogging moms that look beneficial!

Books:

1.    The Bible (of course!)
During our morning Bible reading time, we try to have each child Kindergarten age and older sit with a Bible.  We encourage them to follow along and/or take turns reading aloud.  Younger children often want the ‘grown up’ Bibles to hold as well!  Of course, our toddler likes to wander around, pat the Bibles, maybe look at a picture Bible, and cause general mayhem as our attention is focused elsewhere. =)

2.   Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God by Susan and Richie Hunt

3.   Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schoolland

4.   My ABC Bible Verses: Hiding God’s Word in Little Hearts by Susan Hunt

5.   Family Night Tool Chest books by Weidmann and Bruner

Activities:

1.    Individual Bible reading and Bible Notebook

(top – our then somewhat sleepy Kindergartener working in her Bible Notebook and her first entry; left– a second grade entry in which she decided to copy the verses)

 

 

2.    Bible verse cut aparts and copywork (chosen through our curriculum or a family memory verse we want to focus on)

3.    AWANA

4.   Memory Verse File Box
(Idea and description from Simply Charlotte Mason)

5.    Singing Scripture

(above:  the oldest girls leading in song – I’m not certain why they are both holding up a verse card.  I’m fairly certain we were only singing one of those at a time =) )

Listening to Bible Song CDs and DVDs:

1. Seeds Family Worship (audio CDs) – Scripture Verses set to music
2. Hid’em In Your Heart Volume 1 (audio CD) and Volume 2 (audio CD and DVDs) – Scripture Songs for kids from Steve Green
3. Praise Baby Collection (DVDs) – Contemporary Christian songs 
       -Born to Worship is always our littlest one’s favorite.
4. Cedarmont Kids Action Bible Songs, Bible Songs, and Sunday School Songs (DVDs)- Kids singing traditional children’s Bible songs

Free Printables:

1. Joyful Heart Tune Charts
2. Mama Jen’s Bible Charts
3. Totally Tots In My Heart Feature – charts and copywork to correspond with songs from Seeds Family Worship cds

 

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,than much pure gold.
They are sweeter than honey,than honey from the comb.
(Psalm 19:7-10)

What are your favorite resources for instilling a love for the Word?

Seeds Family Worship has a song called ‘Do Not Fear’ based on Isaiah 41:10 from their Seeds of Courage CD.  I have been singing it for several weeks – and I think I will continue to sing it in order to ingrain this promise from God’s Word!

So do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

In my previous posts Come Follow Me, Part 1 and Come Follow Me, Part 2, I shared how God has shown Himself faithful in the past and what we believe is His call to us for the future.  If you have read these, then you are aware that our family embarked on the application process to be missionaries.    Well, months later, after much prayer, reflection, interviews, and some shaky knees, we have received word that we have been accepted as members to Wycliffe Bible Translators!

Wycliffe’s vision is to see God’s Word accessible to all people in the language that they understand best so that everyone has an opportunity to have an intimate and life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Our future assignment: No, we are not gifted as translators!  However, my husband will have the opportunity to use his skills in software development to assist in the process of translating the gospel into the many heart languages of unreached people groups.  He will be working with a team to develop specialist computer software for use by Bible translators and language workers worldwide. This will allow for faster, more accurate, and more meaningful Bible translations.

Our next steps:  Training!  In addition to our current family responsibilities and jobs, we will be taking missions training for the next year – a Perspectives course and online Wycliffe training as a couple, onsite training at Wycliffe headquarters as a family, and SIL training for my husband in the upcoming summer.   Partnership Development!  We will also be seeking much needed prayer and financial support.

Our needs: 
– For God to raise up a team of ministry partners –both prayer and financial supporters
– That in the midst of missions training and our ongoing family roles, we would have spiritual protection, strength, endurance, and wisdom
– For trust in Christ alone, a continued sense of calling, and an abiding peace as we face uncertainties and meet transitions
– For growth in prayer as a couple and family
– For diligence (especially when tired) in training, disciplining, and discipling the children

Honestly, I keep having to fight my knee jerk reaction to pull back, scream no, and hold on tight to where we are and to what we have in an effort to protect myself and our children – for my desire for stability, comfort in the known, and for being the overseer of MY time, MY resources, MY energy, etc.   In reality though, that is faulty thinking – to think that I am in control.  Everything we currently have has come from HIM.  Everything we need in the future comes from HIM.  If this is truly what God desires for our family, who am I to say no and to question if HE will provide yet again?   I know that HE will provide all things in all situations – within the known and in the unforeseen – time, energy, resources, wisdom for decisions, and prayer support. 

For my Lord will uphold me with His righteous right hand.  It is there, in Christ alone, that I find strength, rest, peace, and security.

I’m hesitant to post this, especially after my last entry on The Joy Stealer.   If you are another homeschooling mom, please don’t let this post steal your joy!  Either skip it all together or read with a heart full of grace (towards me and yourself) and follow Christ’s leading for your own family.

During this school year, our class/school/family consists of a 4th grader, 2nd grader, kindergartener, 3 year old preschooler, and a toddler.  We have a wide range of needs to meet this year!  So, in God’s strength, we embark on another homeschooling year.  This post is about what we hope to accomplish.  Although, as we walk with Him, I am sure God will have us all learn so much more (including mommy)!

History / Geography
This year, we will be continuing the second half of Exploring Countries and Cultures from My Father’s World Curriculum.  Our main geography will be focused on learning about various countries around the world – learning about the cultures, and experiencing music, food, and art from each country.  We will also continue to pray for unreached people groups using Window on the World. We are ready to get on our travel gear and continue our journey around the world!

Science
As we learn about different countries and cultures, we will also be learning about the animals that live in those environments.   We plan to continue to use the resources suggested in the MFW ECC curriculum – The Living World Encyclopedia, Properties of Ecosystems, The Big Book of Animals, The Great Animal Search, and the Encyclopedia of Animals.  The older girls will also be drawing animals to coordinate with the different continents and regions/habitats of the world using Draw Write Now.

Bible and Devotions

• Daily Proverbs
• MFW study of the book of Matthew
  (including copywork for the oldest two girls  ~ You can find free printables to coordinate with the verses from Matthew here.)
• ‘Thankful Thursday’ gratitude notebook
• We plan to finish up Proverbs Family Night Tool Chest by Jim Weidmann and then move into 10 Commandments Family Night Tool Chest, also by Jim Weidmann– one night a week with Daddy!
• A Girl of Beauty: Building Character in Young Girls by Carol Fiddler (oldest 2 girls only)

Read Alouds

• MFW Exploring Countries and Cultures incorporates the reading aloud of YWAM missionary stories.  Our family LOVES these books.  Since we have already read the books mentioned in the curriculum, we chose three others to correspond with our study of particular countries – Ida Scudder (India), Hudson Taylor (China), and David Bussau (New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia).
• Read Aloud Passages & Strategies to Model Fluency by Rachel Mann

Art

• The Usborne Art Treasury by Rosie Dickins– learning about an artist and making a corresponding piece of artwork
• Art Appreciation: Child Sized Masterpieces Steps 1,2,3 Intermediate and Advanced by Ailne Wolf

Foreign Language
Last year, our oldest two children began using Rosetta Stone.  I noticed that they enjoyed doing the lessons, but the rest of the family had no idea what they were doing!  So, the additional resources reflect a desire for all of us (preschooler–adult) to be able to start learning some Spanish!

• Rosetta Stone Latin American Spanish (oldest two girls)
• De Colores and Other Latin American Folk Songs for Children (book and CD) by Jose-Luis Orozco
• Hop, Skip, and Sing Spanish for Kids by Ana Lomba
• Spanish Basic Words flashcards

Reading / Language Arts /Math
our 4th grader…

• Readers:  Sonlight readers, free choice reading on her own
• Spectrum Reading
• Spectrum Word Study and Phonics
• Copywork – Bible verses from MFW Matthew study
• Writing and Grammar:  Writing Tales Level 1
• Partner Poems for Building Fluency by Bobbi Katz
  (These look pretty easy, but it is to be used with her 2nd grade sister as well.)
• Writing With Ease (finishing level 2 and moving into level 3)
• Horizons Math (completing Level 3 and heading into 4)
• Mental Math and Math Drills
• Heroes of Faith: The Hidden Treasures in Hebrews by Evelyn Wheeler (an inductive Bible study)

our 2nd Grader…

• Readers: Sonlight readers, free choice reading on her own
• Explode the Code books 7 and 8 for phonics
• Joyful Heart Spelling Skills
• Copywork – Bible verses from MFW Matthew study
• Paragraph Writing from Evan-Moor
• A Reason for Handwriting Transition Book (1st half only)
• Partner Poems for Building Fluency by Bobbi Katz
  (to be used with her 4th grade sister as well)
• Writing With Ease (finishing level 1 and moving into level 2)
• Horizons Math 2
• Mental Math and Math Drills

our kindergartener…

• Readers: ABeka 1st grade readers, MFW Bible Reader
• The Bible and Reading portions from MFW 1st Grade, including the Proverbs verses
• Explode the Code (Complete book 1 and then do 2, maybe 3)
• Portions of Word Family Stories and Activities D from Evan-Moor
• A Reason for Handwriting A
• Horizons Math K (continuation from last year)
• Read and Understand Science 1-2 (comprehension, vocabulary, and simple experiments)

our preschooler…

• Catechism questions and answers
• My ABC Bible Verses
• Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme for 3’s (Bible story, letter song, letter art, sorts, and name binder portions only)
• Letter formation activities from 1+1+1 = 1
• Kumon My First Book of Cutting

our toddler…

• playing and exploring!
• learning to sit still for a book with mommy or a big sibling

Lifeskills and Extracurricular Activities

• Sewing –I think we will try to make the switch from hand to beginner machine sewing!
• Gymnastics (oldest four kids)
• Ballet 101 & 201, Combinations 1 DVD course (4th grader)
• AWANA – We have a 2nd year T&T, a 3rd year Spark, a first year Spark, and a Cubbie!
• Family Chore Time
• Some homeschool outings/ field trips

Some of the above will change during the course of the school year as we finish our study of MFW Exploring Countries and Cultures.  We are still praying about what will replace the Bible, geography/history, and science once MFW is completed in order to round out our school year.

Are you curious what our planning looked like in previous year’s?
2010-2011 (3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old, 4 mo old baby)
2009-2010 (2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived end of year)
2008-2009 (1st, PreK, 2 year old, 6 mo old baby)
2007-2008 (K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
2006-2007 (PreK, 2 year old, 7 mo old baby) 
                  Joyful Heart Character
2005-2006 (3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
                  Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme
2004-2005 (2 year old, 6 mo old baby)  
                 Joyful Heart Learning

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It is the 3rd annual ’Not’ Back to School Blog Hop hosted by Heart of the Matter Online!  This week’s focus is on curriculum.  In the following weeks, they will also share ‘school’ rooms, student photos, and a day in the life.  If you choose to hop, guard your heart and mind, give yourself grace, and encourage others as you take a peek at what fellow homeschoolers are preparing for in this coming school year!  (Yes, I am reminding myself as well =) )

It is great to learn from other homeschoolers!  I love to read blogs written by other homeschool moms.  I like being able to get a glimpse into their day, see how they have organized their home and learning environment, see the types of curriculum they are using, and read their reviews of curriculum that they have used in the past.  I will often see an idea, ponder it, determine whether it might be something beneficial for our family, and then possibly try to implement it in our own homeschool.

While gleaning ideas from the generous sharing though, whether in real life or online, I have to be very careful to not let comparison creep in.  Oh, my friend so and so’s child can do this and this already, homeschool blog mom is doing X,Y,Z with her kids and I can barely do A!  It can start an emotional roller coaster in my mind and add an unnecessary burden- a load that I am not meant to carry.

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,  for each one should carry his own load.
Galatians 6:4-5   

I start thinking… Am I doing enough, doing the correct types of things, using the right curriculum?  How can we fit this and this into our days, too?  Why can’t I seem to do it all like so and so?  Learning from, being encouraged, and growing from the sharing of other homeschoolers is wonderful.  Coveting and being overly critical of my choices for our family because of it is not.

I have read somewhere that comparing our homeschool with other families is a joy stealer and that Christ is the true standard.  Wow. That is a statement that I truly need to let sink into my heart and mind.

My friend and I may both be homeschooling moms, but each family is different.  We are created with varying weaknesses and strengths.  We have different backgrounds and experiences and have formed different expectations.  Thus, we stress different priorities.  Our family makeup is different.  It does make a difference whether you have been blessed with two children or seven, whether you have lots of young children and no older ones, or mostly older children and only one younger child, or two children just a year apart, etc.  Fathers’ work schedules are also different and the amount of time and support they provide varies.  God made each of our families unique.  And thus, each mom’s allotted work from God will be varied as well.  So, there should be NO comparison!  If I want to evaluate how and what we are doing as a family, then I should be comparing it against the Word of God.  What are His expectations of me and of our children?

A discerning man keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 17:24   

I want to rid myself of this major joy stealer.   I want to keep a proper perspective, knowing that I am homeschooling for His glory.  How are our children’s hearts?  Are they growing in Christ?   I want to delight in my children- their strengths, quirks, and varied learning styles – the way God designed each of them to be.  I want to stop doubting the curriculum choices that I have already prayed over, look straight ahead, and proceed into a new school year with joy.   I want to create and maintain an attitude of gratitude.  I want to be faithful in the sphere God has placed me in and trust Christ for the outcome.  They are His children anyway.  I just get the privilege to be with them each day and point them to Him!

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, 
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, 
giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 19:7-8

Lord, help me to keep my eyes focused on You.