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Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone

Written by Joy
Lately, songs and music seem to be speaking to my heart and soul. We have been having VBS all week and last night while the kids were in music class, they sang, “Amazing Grace/ My Chains Are Gone” by Chris Tomlin.
Amazing Grace in itself is one outstanding song. Published by John Newton in 1779, it has been sung millions of times throughout the many years. To this day, every time I hear it and sing it, I get goose bumps on my skin and tears in my eyes. Then Chris Tomlin comes along and adds his part to it. Holy Cow!! Not that Amazing Grace needed any help to add the the powerful effect it has on people, this really just blew my heart away.
Truly amazing talent by two men 100’s of years apart. Both doing the same thing. Glorifying God.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyFxArMeRDI
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace
(sing twice)
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
Take a few minutes and listen to the song. I mean, really listen to it.
God is definitely amazing.
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Blackberry Picking

Written by Joy
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Blackberry Picking
As you drive up the road we live on, you can see blackberry bushes. So, for the past week or so, my kids would say, “Can we go pick some blackberries??” Well, today was the day. They were so excited! We grabbed our popcorn buckets, and walked just a ways down the road.
Samuel is trying to be careful not to get a thorn in his fingers.
Claire decided she was going to put leaves and rocks in her bucket.
Samuel and Claire are being careful to not squish the soft ones between their fingers.
The grass was a little too tall, so Claire was trying to be careful to not get too far in the grass.
Samuel is very careful to only pick the “black” ones.
What yummy goodness is on those bushes!!
Samuel and Claire declared after about an hour that we had plenty for a blackberry cobbler and headed for home. Now I just need to find a great blackberry cobbler recipe!! Does anyone have one they want to share??

photography

Blackberry Picking

Written by Joy
Blackberry Picking
As you drive up the road we live on, you can see blackberry bushes. So, for the past week or so, my kids would say, “Can we go pick some blackberries??” Well, today was the day. They were so excited! We grabbed our popcorn buckets, and walked just a ways down the road.
Samuel is trying to be careful not to get a thorn in his fingers.
Claire decided she was going to put leaves and rocks in her bucket.
Samuel and Claire are being careful to not squish the soft ones between their fingers.
The grass was a little too tall, so Claire was trying to be careful to not get too far in the grass.
Samuel is very careful to only pick the “black” ones.
What yummy goodness is on those bushes!!
Samuel and Claire declared after about an hour that we had plenty for a blackberry cobbler and headed for home. Now I just need to find a great blackberry cobbler recipe!! Does anyone have one they want to share??

photography

Homeschool Village – What grade would you give yourself?

Written by Joy
3 Comments
Homeschool Village – What grade would you give yourself?

Be sure to check out Homeschool Village and see what grades other moms have been given?
What grade would you give yourself and what grade did the kiddos give you?
 Wow.  What would I give myself.  That is a tough question.  I am a lot harder on myself than I think my kids and husband would be.  So I would give myself a low “C”.  Why, do you ask?  Well, for several reason actually.  It seems like we never finish our workbooks/textbooks.  Sometimes it doesn’t seem like we are even half way done.  I don’t do ALL that the books ask you to do.  We don’t do all of the experiments and projects.  There are some days that it doesn’t seem like we finish all that I plan.  Life just gets in the way.  Especially this past year when we had a lot of sickness and I had a lot of health issues.  Like I said, Life just got in the way.  

I asked my husband what grade he would give me.  My sweet wonderful husband, gave me a “B+”.  I am thrilled with a B+.  Why do you ask?  Why didn’t he give me an A?  I asked for the honest truth and he gave it to me.  When talking to him about our daily work and progress.  There were days I told him we didn’t do anything.  I was tired and just flat out lazy.  Those are my words and not his.  He knows I work hard to provide a great home and school for our kids.  However, I am human just like everyone else.  We skipped school every now and then.  That is why I love him.  He keeps things honest and holds me accountable.  I am so thankful for a husband like him.

Then my precious children.  How would they grade mom?  Well I asked my 3 children that were home with me.  My oldest daughter gave me a B.  When I asked why, she said, “Because sometimes you make things sound confusing when trying to explain something to me.”  Wow.  I did not know that.  Now I do and can correct it.  I love when my kids are so honest.  I then asked my 2 youngest children, ages 4 and 5, what grade they would give mommy.  They were so sweet.  They both grinned and giggled then said, “D and F”!!  LOL  We had to laugh.  When asked why they would give mommy those grades, they said I did nothing wrong at all!!  They loved the way I taught them!  

Overall, I think we had a pretty good year last year.  Are there things that I need to do differently?  Of course!!  We all learn from the past and from our mistakes.  The important thing is to make those adjustments in the future.  This fall will make our 8th year of homeschooling.  Not only have my kids learned a lot in the past 7 years, I know I have to.  I look forward to seeing what my children will teach me in the next 7 years.




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Homeschool Village – What grade would you give yourself?

Written by Joy
Homeschool Village – What grade would you give yourself?

Be sure to check out Homeschool Village and see what grades other moms have been given?
What grade would you give yourself and what grade did the kiddos give you?
 Wow.  What would I give myself.  That is a tough question.  I am a lot harder on myself than I think my kids and husband would be.  So I would give myself a low “C”.  Why, do you ask?  Well, for several reason actually.  It seems like we never finish our workbooks/textbooks.  Sometimes it doesn’t seem like we are even half way done.  I don’t do ALL that the books ask you to do.  We don’t do all of the experiments and projects.  There are some days that it doesn’t seem like we finish all that I plan.  Life just gets in the way.  Especially this past year when we had a lot of sickness and I had a lot of health issues.  Like I said, Life just got in the way.  

I asked my husband what grade he would give me.  My sweet wonderful husband, gave me a “B+”.  I am thrilled with a B+.  Why do you ask?  Why didn’t he give me an A?  I asked for the honest truth and he gave it to me.  When talking to him about our daily work and progress.  There were days I told him we didn’t do anything.  I was tired and just flat out lazy.  Those are my words and not his.  He knows I work hard to provide a great home and school for our kids.  However, I am human just like everyone else.  We skipped school every now and then.  That is why I love him.  He keeps things honest and holds me accountable.  I am so thankful for a husband like him.

Then my precious children.  How would they grade mom?  Well I asked my 3 children that were home with me.  My oldest daughter gave me a B.  When I asked why, she said, “Because sometimes you make things sound confusing when trying to explain something to me.”  Wow.  I did not know that.  Now I do and can correct it.  I love when my kids are so honest.  I then asked my 2 youngest children, ages 4 and 5, what grade they would give mommy.  They were so sweet.  They both grinned and giggled then said, “D and F”!!  LOL  We had to laugh.  When asked why they would give mommy those grades, they said I did nothing wrong at all!!  They loved the way I taught them!  

Overall, I think we had a pretty good year last year.  Are there things that I need to do differently?  Of course!!  We all learn from the past and from our mistakes.  The important thing is to make those adjustments in the future.  This fall will make our 8th year of homeschooling.  Not only have my kids learned a lot in the past 7 years, I know I have to.  I look forward to seeing what my children will teach me in the next 7 years.




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