Words of explanation- two generations in a row

 My Mom has been cleaning out closets, emptying out drawers and trying to make room in the "wedding room". My youngest sister "said yes",

Yet another redhead in the family! 

Aren't they adorable?

 so there will be several months worth of prepping and planning (and bringing things into the house). Therefore, some of the things already taking up space had to be sorted through. Mom got lost one afternoon looking through old pictures. She called me up laughing about memories, not just of my sisters and I, but also of Zion and Canaan when they were "little". I know it is an overused saying, but gee whiz, "time flies"!

 One of the things Mom found as she sorted through old memories was our school, our homeschool, mission statement. We called ourselves J.O.Y. Academy. J for Jesus, O for others, Y for yourself. If you put them in order, you have Joy.

 Andy says it is a little "wordy", but I would like to share with you the heart of the way I was raised, the way I was educated, and thus, the way I think, feel, and deep in my soul, believe.

JOY Academy began as a way to fulfill the biblical admonition to "train up a child in the way he should go" We believe it is the responsibility of the parent to see that their child has a good foundation in all of the values which will rule the rest of their lives. When the values are based on the biblical precepts of righteousness and truth, the foundation will be able to withstand the things thrown at them through the years.

This training has included but is not limited to three primary area:
1. Mental Abilities.
  To develop a child mentally is primarily helping a child to develop their critical thinking. It begins with the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. We then build upon these with an understanding of the social and physical sciences from a uniquely Christian perspective.

2. Social Development.
  If a child is only given food and not taught how to eat, they will surely make a mess of it. So it is with learning to relate to one another. A child must be taught the proper way to relate to family, friends, and even those who mistreat them. This is a second primary area of learning at JOY Academy. We have included in this course of study not only the society in which we live, but an introduction to other societies and the differences between the way they relate.

3. Spiritual Awakening.
  Just as reading opens up a child's mind to a new world of ideas, so prayer opens up a child's heart to a universe much larger than anything we can imagine. At JOY Academy we teach a child to have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father through prayer and Bible study. As a child learns to understand the purposes of God they learn the purpose for their own life. Understanding purpose is one of the foundational stones that will help a child stand in the midst of trying times.

This is a brief look at the "what" and the "way" of our home school.



 Since my own husband laughed at the formality of it, then said it was overwhelming and slightly boring, I will understand, and forgive you, if you only skimmed it. But it brought tears to my eyes. An amazing amount of thought and prayer went into my education. I am so very grateful.

 Andy and I have reached a point now in the education of our boys where people start to ask "do you really know what you are doing?" With my freestyle teaching attitude I seem to especially inspire questions. I suppose anything that challenges the status quo frightens, so questions are necessary for comfort. 


 I don't know that I would have conformed myself enough to write something like the statement above. I have been fighting the "establishment" entirely too much! But, I love having it already written. Some questions are easily answered by big words. Some people simply want to hear what they think are educated thoughts spouted off- and those are definitely well thought out and educated words.  


 This is why I am who I am. 


 Thank you Mom and Dad. 

Blessings,