Homeschooling with a MISSION

Three, four and… Let the strings begin. Our summer has been filled with the sweet melody (well, most of the time) of beginning violin. Truly, under the instruction of Dr. Jaffe and the Abeka Strings DVD program, learning violin for AbiNoelle (as opposed to Mommy’s first grade experience) has been music to our ears! After over 40 lessons, orchestra rehearsal sessions have begun, even including the wedding march, no doubt in honor of our 15th Wedding Anniversary this summer! With an orchestra, of course, comes a conductor, yet according to Dr. Jaffe, trial and significant error brought today’s view of the man and his baton. Apparently, in times past, the musicians gathered and played somewhat “together” as their own ears directed. Eventually, general concensus called for a conductor to create perfect harmony. Yet still, the conductor needed something that would insist upon a unified tempo amongst the instruments. Hence…..the BIG STICK. Seriously, can’t you just picture today’s finest orchestra playing a minuet to the thudding beat of a Moses-like staff! The turning tide, so the legend tells, is that a conductor, so intently stamped the beat that when he mistakenly hit his foot, the injury turned deadly.

The extreme’s of no direction to the BIG STICK brought us to today’s small but not insignificant baton that can draw a clear path to delightful sounds.

Extremes –

Certainly, some ideas have their merit. Nonetheless, extremes are always out to yank us here and there, intending to consume us and many times bringing fatal consequences spiritually, emotionally or physically. I Corinthians 15:58 says, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Philippians 4:5 reminds us to: Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand.

Thinking back to AbiNoelle’s K5 Abeka DVD days, Mrs. Reese said that “for the Lord” she just wanted to be “the same everyday” – Not meaning that she didn’t want to grow and improve, but simply that she wanted to be consistent not moody or unstable.

In this “extreme” world, this is our challenge for the 2019-2020 school: To be consistent, strong and abounding in our work for the Lord using proven tools in a balanced manner.

With that in mind, we continue on beyond a wonderful summer of travels, Spanish, violin, sewing, playing, book adventures, game time, etc. and welcome a new Abeka Academy school year with great anticipation and excitement.

The “big kid” days are upon us as AbiNoelle steps up into the real elementary-like classes with Miss Heindel. The all-new Abeka third grade curriculum offers excellent history biographies, lots of hands-on opportunities in Science, an adventure around every page in reading, “tons” of math concepts, awesome art projects, and life-challenging lessons in Bible. This biblical approach, high academic standards, and exciting learning method fits our school year goal to a “T.”

After day one, AbiNoelle said, “She’s (Miss Heindel) GREAT!” “I really like Math, but I really like Language too!” She is super excited about giving trial spelling tests a try and can’t wait for art time on Friday. Spanish, violin and sewing continue only in smaller segments, and Tweety-Pie Junior Tutor is full-steam ahead as we edit upcoming video lessons and look for our new book, The Constitution Defender, to arrive from the printer soon!

And, not to be forgotten, AmiJoy thinks she can do anything big sister can. Her busy little self enjoyed the first days of school by singing in Bible time, coloring on the chalkboard, working on her colors, and trying out AbiNoelle’s preschool desk. Her “JOY” interrupts regularly, but is learning to keep her hands busy in her own “school” space.

So….here we go…

not as a lost orchestra

not with the thud of a BIG STICK

but movement by movement directed by THE MASTER CONDUCTOR’s baton.

Life, under His direction, will have its high notes and low notes, yet complete a beautiful song.