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so thankful and blessed… #841-860

Written by Joy
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so thankful and blessed… #841-860

We have so much to be thankful for during our lifetime.  I don’t think we will ever be able to list everything that God has blessed us with.  While some moments might even look bad to you, God can use those times to point out some good when you think all is lost.

James 1

12  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desirewhen it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

841. children being able to play in a Christian sports league.

842. coaches who pray and encourage the kids.

843. the hosting church for the Upwards Sports league

844. parents who yell encouragement to their children, instead of yelling wrongs.

845. listening to a devotional and prayer at every practice and game.

846. seeing my son’s face light up when he makes a basket!

847. seeing my daughter’s face light up when she completes a cheer.

848. a local church hosting a “Daughter’s of the King” club.

849. seeing how excited my daughter is about going to the club.

850. the older girls in the club taking my young daughter and leading her.

851. friends coming over to fellowship.

852. park days, play time and fellowship with other homeschoolers.

853. friends offering to help in a time of need.

854. friends taking the time to pray right then for you.

855. emails from friends saying they are praying for you.

856. being sick with food poisoning.

857. God speaking to my heart using food poisoning to slow me down to listen.

858. a washing machine that is broken yet still works enough for me to keep caught up on laundry.

859. a disagreement that brings attention to my disobedience to God.

860. a forgiving, loving and merciful God.

 

Won’t you join me and share your many blessings?  I am linking up over at A Holy Experience.

2012, multitude Mondays

basketball and cheerleading season come to an end

Written by Joy
basketball and cheerleading season come to an end

Our younger children have just recently finished up their first season ever of an organized sport.  They took part in an Upwards Program through a local church in our area.  My older children have been part of organized recreation sports before and I must say I like this organization for this young of an age a lot better.

Upwards Sports helps kids build their athletic skills and self confidence.  My all time favorite about this program is how they incorporate a short devotional and prayer into every practice and game.  They actually make it part of the practice time and game time.

The kids are already talking about the next season and have asked us to coach their team next year. Even though I helped coach my daughter’s cheer team this year, she is wanting to play basketball next year.  My husband and I are looking forward to getting more involved with the program for their next season.   We helped coached our older kids’ teams when they were younger, but then we moved and our son got too old to play sports and our daughter chose dance as her activity.   So we are definitely looking forward to next season!

My daughter is on the bottom left. This is only part of her team with their coach.  Thanks coach Mary!!

My son is on the back row and is #13 on the right side.  Thanks coach Kylee and coach Amy!!

Doing a cheer!

Shooting the ball and he made it!

Do your kids play any organized sports?  If so, do you help coach your child’s team?

 

2012, family, homeschooling

Manassas National Battlefield Park – field trip

Written by Joy
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Manassas National Battlefield Park – field trip

I think I have mentioned it before, but one of our favorite things to do as a family is visit national and state parks.  Most of the time they are free or only a couple of dollars per person.  There is so much history filled into these parks!  On our recent trip to Washington D.C., we took time on our way home to stop by the Manassas National Battlefield Park.

I used the word amazing a lot throughout my weekend, and really the only word I could think of for this place was amazing.  Just knowing that so many, young and old, lost their lives on the actual ground we were walking.  Blood was spilled for some who were fighting for what they believed was right.  For some it was father against son, brother against brother, uncle against nephew.  Yes, it was a bloody war.  Yet, God knew the outcome before it was ever started.  He was there through it all.

We didn’t even walk the whole place.  There is over 5,000 acres of land here that was fought on.  We just walked the loop that they have at this area.    Each marker has a number that you can listen to a recording on through your phone.  As we walked and read each marker in this one loop, we also listened to a narrator give a few more details.  I have to be honest and say that tears did come.  I took over 300 pictures of this area and have chosen a few to share.

 

Reading the second sign with Dad.

Taking a moment to read about this grave marker.

Monument behind the house.  I am sad to say that I did not get a chance to read what the plaque said on this one.

The Henry House.

The kids trying to reenact how the soldiers would have stood as they were preparing to fire the cannon.

Reading about Stonewall Jackson.

Looking at a line of cannons.

Dad telling Sammy how far the cannon ball could go.

General Barnard E. Bee monument.

Brigadier Frances Stebbings Bartow marker.

Andrew “Stonewall” Jackson Monument.

2012, field trips, homeschooling

so thankful and blessed #832-840

Written by Joy
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so thankful and blessed #832-840

It has been over a week since the 2:1 Conference.  It was an amazing conference and I am so happy that I was able to attend.  Better yet, my hubby and three of our children were able to go.  They had a blast getting to tour Washington D.C.  So I thought I would share all the blessings that we had from our trip.

832. First off, it was a blessing to be able to go to Washington D.C.  Lately our little vacations have been to visit family in Florida.  For us to be able to go off and do a little site seeing was definitely a blessing and I am so thankful to those who helped make that happen.

833. Which leads me to my next blessing.  See The Light for sponsoring me and Stef for sending See The Light my way!

834. A safe trip to and from Washington D.C.

835.  The speakers at the conference; Rachael Carman, Heidi St. John, Rebecca Ingram Powell and Rachel Martin.  Also for the many breakout session speakers.  They were all truly amazing.

836. God sending me out of my comfort zone.

837. The many new friends that I met!

838. The opportunity for my kids to see so many historical places, learn who founded this country and why it was founded.

839. Friends who helped our oldest son out, while we were away.

840. Listening to scripture, confirming  that I am supposed to be at home with my children, teaching them to glorify God.

Like I said, it was a true blessing being able to attend this conference.  I know God had me there for a reason.  I am looking forward to seeing what God has planned for me and my family while we are on this amazing homeschool journey.

Won’t you join me and share your many blessings?  I am linking up over at A Holy Experience.

2012, blessings,

2:1 Conference – An Amazing Weekend..

Written by Joy
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2:1 Conference – An Amazing Weekend..

It has been a week since the end of the 2:1 Conference.  All I can say is it was a amazing.  I went scared to death, knowing I was going to be meeting people who I have been reading for a while.  Meeting these Godly women who love Jesus as much as I do and who love to be at home with their children and teach them.  My husband kept telling me to relax, that they are normal people just like we are.  And you know something?  He was right.  Everyone I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with were Christian homeschooling momma’s trying to raise and teach their children in the way of the Lord.

(Tabitha, me, Stef and Jennifer)

First off, I need to once again say thank you to my sponsor, See The Light.  I don’t think I would have been able to go without their help.  Also, I want to say thank you to Stef of The Homeschool Village and Educating Laytons.  She helped connect me with See The Light.  Also a big thank you to my wonderful husband.  He believes in me.  He knows that I have a heart for Jesus and for homeschooling moms.  He knows that I love helping others and supported me in going to the conference.

(Tabitha, Lena, Jennifer and me)

On to the conference.  Like I said, it was amazing.  I have used the word amazing so much this past week.  I just don’t know how else to explain it.  While I had already started making changes in the way we homeschool over the last few years, this confrence was like a confirmation for me.

(Tabitha, Jamerrill and me)

I needed to get God back to the center of my life and our homeschooling journey.  For without Him, I am nothing and neither is our homeschooling journey. My goal is to teach my kids in the way of the Lord.  If we don’t get any other learning accomplished, then that is okay.  If we are having issues with behavior, then that is an issue with the heart.  We need to correct that.  We will sit aside books and focus on that.  If I am having a bad day, then the kids will have a bad day.  I need to focus on getting God first in my life.  That starts with my prayer and study time.

(Kela and me)

God gave my children to my husband and I.  However, they belong to Him.  They are only on loan to me while we are here on this earth. There fore it is important for me to teach them to glorify God.  If I do that, then all else will fall into place.

(Cheryl and me)

I know it seems like I am rambling, but like I said, I am still processing all that the speakers said and following up the scripture they all shared too.  I also loved the connections I made with others.  It was truly wonderful meeting those who have inspired me to keep writing and to keep helping and encouraging others.  I will definitely be writing about the conference here and there, but wanted to get something posted for those who have been wondering about my trip.  I also have plans of having my oldest daughter write about their field trips they took while I was in the conference.  I am looking forward to hearing about all of their adventures.  They keep telling me stories of their fun weekend!

Be sure to stop by the 2:1 Conference recap page to hear what everyone else is saying about their weekend!

Have you listened to anyone lately that has inspired a change in the way you homeschool?

 

2012, God, homeschooling