Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! In keeping with our yearly family tradition, we present you with our annual “letter” sharing the happenings of our lives over the past year.  Here are our reflections… each in our own words.

James: It’s been a good year for us.  Grateful, hopeful, humbled, and blessed come to mind.  Grateful because Trish keeps our home running and is my primary lost item locator.  We have a great but imperfect marriage and darling children that are adorable but challenging little boogers.  I’m grateful for the boys many talents including excelling in piano and soccer.  Also, grateful for their kindness that can bubble up just when you begin to wonder if you’ve completely failed at Parenting 101.  Teenage attitude and “ignorant” parents make for lively conversation.  We generally enjoy each other’s company even while working together on hard tasks.

Hopeful that one day they will practice good hygiene on their own.  I even have an operatic song that I sing. “Brush your teeth...Brush your Teeth!”  Along with, “How many days (yikes?!) has it been since you’ve showered?!” or simply “Obey, Obey” with a trill.  Or the time tested, “I can’t hear you!” from No Time for Sergeants. Hopeful that I don’t damage them too badly.  Hopeful that work will improve or I find a better way to make ends meet. I’ve tried to work on my sarcasm with the Mrs. since she doesn’t find the humor in it.  Hopeful that we’ll be able to have a positive impact as mentors with the DARE marriage mentoring program.

Humbled because we have it so good. As for ourselves, we have been spared any true hardships this year. But friends and family have had it really tough.  Hurricanes, flooding, major surgeries, undiagnosed illness, fighting cancer, traumatic brain injury, quadriplegia of a daughter, and burying of children through illness and tragic accidents, certainly give more than a pause for reflection and prayer.  May God’s grace carry them through these struggles and that we would be His hands and feet and know when and how to minister.

Blessed because I have a family that loves me and a job that meets our needs.  Blessed to be living in America, despite its bent towards self-destruction.  Blessed to have a Bible and sound teaching available to help keep things in perspective.  Blessed to have boys that have given 65 Heroes of Faith books to prisoners through YWAM* with their earnings from this year’s yard jobs.  I only mention this because I think it’s a great way to reach those in prison with good things to occupy their time and maybe you’d consider donating a set yourself.

In other news, I don’t have the same endurance I previously had for 12 plus hour road trips of twenty –five years ago. But we have found some useful tools to make it better.  Waze traffic app is very helpful for avoiding traffic and speed taxation.  We also download programs of Unshackled* and have purchased a good portion of Lamplighter theatre *audio dramas.  Listening to these uplifting stories make the drudgery of traffic an easier pill to swallow.  Plus it does one’s own soul good too.  I really enjoy the family time we have including “forced” walks with the kiddos through the neighborhood… good for your health and conversing with your family.  Also enjoy Engineering Explorers Club and robotics classes with the boys. We have a Popsicle stick/wood glue bridge entry that has yet to be tested, and David had the winning entry from an egg drop competition in which his egg was dropped from a crane.

Tricia: We are enjoying the blessings of family and of God’s grace.  As I reflect over the past months, I am reminded it is God’s grace and His grace alone which has enabled and equipped me to be the wife, mom, homeschool teacher, daughter, sister, friend, and servant He has called and created me to be.  I can do nothing good on my own, I desperately need Jesus!  How thankful I am that He continues to meet my needs daily! 

The boys successfully finished 7^th grade and are halfway through 8^th.  They are learning, maturing, and growing; and are becoming more independent in their studies, though some days we do have our battles.  Paul typically begins his school day around 6 or 6:30 a.m., all on his own accord!  We continue to use Sonlight, as well as Apologia Science, Lost Tools for Writing, and a few others I have thrown in the mix.  They say we force them to take art and piano lessons, but they are developing their talents and seem to enjoy using them to bless others.

I continue to chauffeur them around to soccer practice and games, yet I am thankful to do so (except for having to endure the odor of sweaty soccer boys and gear!).  I absolutely LOVE watching them play… I am that crazy soccer mom on the sidelines cheering for her boys and their team!  Last spring was a bit of a challenge, as they were on separate teams, which meant different practice times at different fields, as well as different game schedules.  We are thankful they are now again on the same team!  They had an excellent season this fall, placing 2^nd in their division at State Cup. Fun times!

We continue to study God’s Word through Community Bible Study.  We each look forward to our Thursdays!  I am humbled to be in leadership for the 3^rd year as a core group leader.  What a tremendous opportunity the Lord has gifted me with as I get to know the ladies He has placed in my group, as I pray with and for them, and as we learn from God’s Word together.  I also continue to co-lead a Moms in Prayer group with a dear friend.  Our prayer times together cannot adequately be described in words.  We have experienced countless answers to prayers, and have each grown in our faith as we take one another’s cares and concerns to the throne of grace.  God has blessed me with rich, deep, and transparent friendships… and for that I am eternally grateful.

I started a new business venture in November!  I am now a Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant.  I have been wearing their nail wraps for a little over a year now, and was frequently asked if I sold them, so I decided to give it a try!  After all, these boys are getting more expensive and a little extra money would be very helpful.  My website is triciaschmid.jamberry.com if you want to see what it’s all about!  Life is good, and my heart is full…

David: This year was fun in many ways. First of all, in January we had our famed Nerf party at our house. It was different this year because everyone invited thoroughly wore themselves and their friends out with Nerf darts, swords, and every now and then, a few head shots with a suddenly rather painful Nerf dart. Later in May, as soon as we finished 7^th grade, we went to the beach; where I wore myself out catching fish and digging holes for a bunch of 4-6 year olds. Unfortunately, I got a heat rash and could no longer ride the waves with my boogie board.

In June we went to Kentucky with our dad for the LETU Auto Society Reunion. Before we met with his friends, we went to Mammoth Cave. It was a very stunning sight to see. I wanted to do the cave tour in which you could climb and crawl, but our parents, along with my brother, said it would be too long, dirty, and physically demanding. After that, we went to a hole in the wall restaurant with our dad’s friends, and I was happy I didn’t get food poisoning.  In July, I unexpectedly won the Pelham Library Lego Competition with my replica of the Pelham Library! I was aiming to win Librarian’s Favorite, as I thought Paul would win the competition with his super car that he put power functions in. 

In September, the good thing was our soccer team won the Battle of The Jack soccer tournament in which I scored two goals (or as the Spanish sports commentators would say, GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!). The bad thing was I got these pieces of metal along with some rubber bands and wires put in my mouth, otherwise known as braces (I like my description better). In November we went to Foley to play in the State Cup. In the first game, we played against Mobile, and I scored in the first minute of the game, which I think was the only goal of the first half. Then we got a penalty kick and made the score 2-0 (we went on to win the game 3-0). In the Championship game we played the Gulf Coast Rangers who went on to beat us 3-0.It was a very intense game and we had several good runs down the field, but we just couldn’t score. On one of my runs down the field, I got kicked in the shin which made my shin guard fly off my leg and land behind me (it should have been called as a foul). As always, we will try to do better next season.

In December we got seven inches of snow at our house. I wanted to drive my RC car in it, but I blew one of my tires which ended the desire to drive in the snow. However, I did have a rather intense snowball fight with some of our friends and my brother (Paul played dirty and put rocks in his snowballs and then compacted them so hard they felt like baseballs). This pretty much sums up my year; I hope you had a good year also!

Paul: This year, 2017, has been an interesting, fun, annoying, and painful year.  In January we had our 13th birthday party, which was “Nerf” themed. We divided the yard somewhat unequally between the two teams and then total chaos broke out.  There was also a no man’s land, a mud hole, which probably grew by five feet before the party was over.  In May, we went to the beach and I built a sand castle Capitol Building, even though I felt it would start to fall apart when I was done.  Surprisingly it didn’t! What was rather disappointing was watching from our balcony as careless people turned it into a slide (they failed).  In June we went to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.  If you don’t believe it is much colder in the cave than it is above ground you would be wrong.  It was very fun, and I liked the cave crickets which looked more like spiders and were found in swarms and were high in protein.  I don’t really remember (aka memory loss)JL but I think I got my expander in the roof of my mouth in July, but I don’t rightly know. A few months later I got braces. In September our soccer team played in the Battle at the Jack tournament (Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Decatur, AL) and placed first in our division! In November, our team made it to State Cup and came in second place in our division.  We also played piano in the Solo Festival and I got a Superior rating which is the highest rating one can earn. Overall I have had a pretty good year, thanks to the love, support, guidance, instruction, and discipline of my wonderful parents. (my mom wrote the last sentence!)

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.  We pray that you will personally know the love of Jesus Christ, that you will find your contentment and satisfaction in knowing Him, and that whatever 2018 may bring to your life, your help and your hope will come from the Lord. 

Love,

James, Tricia, Paul and David

* https://unshackled.org/listen/browse-all-programs/

* https://www.lamplightertheatre.com/

* http://www.ywampublishing.com/c-105-prison-donation-project.aspx

* https://www.truthforlife.org/broadcasts/latest-aired/

* http://livingontheedge.org/series/marriages-that-work/Daily-Radio

It's been a month...

" 'Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you,

 and how He had mercy on you.' 

And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis

what great things Jesus had done for him;

and everyone marveled."

Mark 5:19-20

Today it has been a month since the accident... Life can change in an instant.  Most of the time we never know it is coming, yet our Lord does.  We are each overwhelmingly thankful for His sovereignty, His omnipresence, and His omnipotence.

The passage from above was in our daily Bible reading for school today.  How timely our Lord is... just another bit of evidence that our Lord is in the details!

As I reflect on the past month I praise the Lord for what He has done and for the mercy that He has had on us...

In His mercy, He preserved the lives of all the children in the golf cart.  We are so thankful none of us had funerals to plan or attend.

In His mercy, He has walked with us each step of the way.  Oftentimes He has gathered us in His mighty right hand and carried us.  He has been and continues to be so very faithful.  He has not forsaken us or left us alone... He is Emmanuel, God with us!

In His mercy, He has answered multitudes of prayers prayed on behalf of the kids in the accident.  He has heard our cries for help and He has answered!

In our weakness He has been strong...

He has been our overwhelming and unexplainable peace in the midst of our storm...

In our sorrow, grief, and fear He has been our comfort...

He has given us joy in the midst of the dark and deep valley...

He has been glorified as His body, the church, has been the hands and feet of Jesus to us...

He has given us wisdom to know how to deal with the "hard" of this season with our boys...

He has given us the hope of eternal life, when one day we will all be resurrected to live with Him in eternity in our resurrected bodies, fully healed and restored...

Do you know our Lord Jesus?  Do you spend time with Him in His Word and in prayer?  I urge you to do so now, get to know Him now, fall in love with Him now. He desperately loves you and wants you to live and walk in His love.  Get to know Him now, so when your "suddenly and without warning" comes you can cling to Him for dear life... for no one can carry you through as Jesus can.

God is in the Details!

Bless our God, O peoples,

And sound His praise abroad,

9 Who keeps us in life

And does not allow our feet to slip.

10 For You have tried us, O God;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

11 You brought us into the net;

You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.

12 You made men ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water,

Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.

13 I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings;

I shall pay You my vows,

14 Which my lips uttered

And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.

 

 16Come and hear, all who fear God,

And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.

17 I cried to Him with my mouth,

And He was extolled with my tongue.

18 If I regard wickedness in my heart,

The Lord will not hear;

19 But certainly God has heard;

He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God,

Who has not turned away my prayer

Nor His lovingkindness from me.

 Psalm 66:8-14;16-20  

 

Our Lord was not surprised by the events in our lives on July 11, 2015.  He already knew what we were about to experience, and He was at work behind the scenes, paying attention to every single detail...

 

I want to share these details for two reasons... First, to give God the glory, for He has done great things for us!  And secondly, so that we will remember and never forget how He ordered the details of that day...

The first and most important thing our Lord had done beforehand was He had called each one of us to Himself.  All four of us know Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  All four of us have been students of God's Word for years (some many more years than others, obviously).  All four of us know to call out to God in times of need.  All four of us know God personally through our relationship with Him through prayer, the study of His Word, and the life of His Holy Spirit within us. 

 

What follows is a list of details of that day that I have not doubt that God ordered...

There were people outside where the boys had their accident.  They were quick to help and to call for help.  Words cannot express how thankful I am for these ladies and men who jumped to help without a second thought.  

 

Paul had the presence of mind to run to where we were to let us know about the accident... and in his fear and pain he was able to find his way back to the lake house, which we had never been to before...

The ambulance had just finished a call nearby so they were able to be on the scene quickly.  They typically respond from an hour away from where we were; we had been told that we should transport David to the hospital... yet they showed up before we even started to try to get him into our car.  

The ambulance was able to transport David AND Rebecca in the same ambulance... no one had to choose which child would be transported first while the other waited on a 2nd ambulance.  

We were surrounded by our faith family, who began praying immediately... How gracious of our Lord that we were not alone, we were immediately lifted to the throne of grace!

The ER was not crowded... our children were seen immediately without delay.

The orthopedic doctor who performed David's first surgery is a Christian, he told me that though he was performing the surgery David was in the Lord's hands...

We were in the 3rd floor waiting room, alone, except for one lady whom the Lord ordained to be there for prayer support.  I had gotten to know this sweet lady of God by taking a Bible study she taught entitled "Stronger" by Angela Thomas.  It was through sharing what the Lord was teaching me in this study with my sweet Paul that Paul was led to the Lord, approximately a year prior to this accident.  She later shared with me that she does not have the joints in the very toes that David lost, and that she knows exactly how to pray for him. She knew exactly what to pray that day while he was in surgery, and the Lord placed her there with us at the scene of the accident and then in the waiting room... How precious our Lord is!

Our Lord is very practical also... He laid various things on the hearts of our friends and church family... We were provided with food to eat, water to drink, toothbrushes and toothpaste, a sweater (because hospitals are always cold), and the comfort of the hugs and tears of those who came to love on us and offer support. 

I am still learning of behind the scene details as the boys talk more about the accident and as I talk with others who have prayed for us or who were involved in some way.  

What I just learned yesterday overwhelmed my heart... our Lord is so very sweet, He cares about the desires of our hearts, and He knows the worries and concerns of our hearts.  

Yesterday some of the boys' soccer friends came to visit and their sweet moms brought dinner.  One mom came in with her computer... She had been on a mission trip in Guatemala when she heard about the accident.  She immediately began praying along with everyone on her team and the multitude of people at the seminary where they were serving!  She said she was praying that somehow David would be empowered, that he would not be in despair.  Well, while on their trip, in Guatemala, they met a man, Mordecai, in his 30s who lost all of his toes except his big toe in an accident when he was 9.  And the thing that is so huge and is so precious to me is that this man plays soccer... 

The lady who was the first at the scene of the accident said that David kept saying, "I will never play soccer again."  Soccer is David's passion. He loves it and he is good at it.  Anytime he has free time this boy is kicking around a soccer ball, practicing juggling, and making shots at the goal.  

So the reason she brought her computer yesterday was because she has videoed Mordecai playing soccer!  She was able to share this with David, and Mordecai even allowed her to take a picture of his foot to show David! 

How precious of our Lord to order the steps of our friends!  Only the Lord could take them to Guatemala, place Mordecai in their path, order events so that they find out about his injury, and give them time to see him play soccer!  How gracious of Mordecai to allow a picture to be taken of his foot and video to be taken of him playing soccer... all so he could encourage a little boy in Alabama who loves soccer and who has suffered a horrible accident and wonders if he will ever play the game again!  

God loves His children!  God is deeply involved in the details of our lives!  It just makes my heart melt!

Blessed be God,

Who has not turned away my prayer

Nor His lovingkindness from me.

Psalm 66:20

 

"Suddenly and Without Warning"

July 11, 2015

It was Saturday. The sky was blue and the sun was shining. We were looking forward to a fun-filled day at the lake with friends.  

Our morning started with a talk with our boys. My husband discussed the fact that often very fun things come with a higher risk of getting hurt.  He stressed the need for self-control, for making wise decisions, and the need to be careful and follow all instructions.

After arriving, we enjoyed a nice hour or so out on the water.  The morning began in the boat with a huge 4 person tube to ride on, the boys and girls had a blast!  The boat ride was followed by a ride on the jet skis. We then went in for some lunch.

Our appetites were all satisfied with a nice lunch of bar-b-Que and yummy sides.  The adults were sitting around the table visiting.  The kids asked if they could ride the golf cart... the adults said yes.  A little time passes and James and I head downstairs.  We spent a bit of time talking to the oldest boy there, a soon to be high school junior.  While talking to him David comes and knocks on the sliding door... we open it... he asks if he can drive the golf cart... And I answered with the one word that changed the course of our life, I told him "Yes."  His face lights up with a smile and he runs off excitedly. I can still see this scene very vividly in my mind... how I wish I could change that one word.  

A few minutes pass and James and I head down to the dock...

Then... suddenly and without warning... Paul runs out and tells us that David has been in an accident.  We take off running, asking for details and wondering where he is.  A man drives up in a golf cart, asks if we are the parents, and says he will take us to the scene.  He warns us  that it is very bloody. I tell him I don't care, I just want to get to him.

We arrive at the scene... the golf cart is on its side, the people on the scene tell us they have called 911.  I see my David... he is covered in blood... his foot is covered with a towel and he tells me adamantly over and over not to look at his toes.  Rebecca is crying in pain, she is still in the golf cart... Paul and the other girl riding are standing by looking and crying.  

I remember not knowing what to do to help him... he was crying in pain, and every so often he would scream that his foot was hurting and would beg us to do something for it.  I felt totally helpless... I did the only thing I knew to do, prayed to our Heavenly Father.

The first to arrive on the scene was a volunteer EMT guy... I really do not know that he did much more than call and tell them we needed an ambulance and for how many...

The ambulance arrived quicker than we had anticipated.  James had been told that he would need to transport David to the hospital, they said it would take the ambulance at least an hour to get to us.  James didn't want to do this, we didn't really know where we were, much less the way to the hospital... but he was willing to do what he had to, so he and Paul run off to get the car.  Sometime in the midst of all this the ambulance showed up, they had just finished a call not far from where we were... God was providing for us.

While David was being attended to it was brought to our attention that Paul was also quite injured and needed medical attention.  When he had run back to the house to get help he had put a shirt on so I had not been able to see his injuries.  Approximately 2/3 of his back was covered with pretty severe road rash.  His elbows were severely scratched and scraped up, and he had a bad cut on the bottom of his left heel.

It seemed to take forever to get David and Rebecca in the ambulance and secure them for travel.  I planted myself in the front seat of the ambulance and began putting outs pleas for prayer.  I posted on Facebook, called my parents, and sent text messages to anyone and everyone that I knew would pray.  We flew to Children's Hospital, it took approximately 41 minutes.  I was angry at every car and truck that would not get out of our way... if you see or hear an ambulance coming GET OUT OF THE WAY!

After David was examined it was made clear to us that his toes were severely injured and were the most pressing medical need.  They took an x-ray and called in the orthopedic doctor for a consult.  Following the consult the orthodpedic doctor told us there was a huge possibility he could lose his first 4 toes, and if that was the case they would most likely recommend amputating his 5th toe.  He really would not know for certain until he was in surgery.  They immediately began preparing David for emergency surgery.  While this was going on Paul was being treated.  His wounds were all cleaned and bandaged... bless his heart, he sat on a stool very bravely while the doctor took care of him, all while James and I were running around trying to listen to the doctors, sign consent forms, and just make sense of what was happening.  I do not recommend having 2 children in the ER at the same time...

So not too terribly long after arriving at the ER at Children's Hospital David underwent emergency surgery.  We waited in the 3rd floor surgery waiting room.  I think the surgery took maybe an hour.  The surgeon came and told us the outcome... David had lost his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th toes but still had about half of his big toe and his pinky toe... We were informed that this was good, these are the toes you need for balance.  This first surgery was just a "clean up" surgery.  They cleaned his foot up really good and then connected it to a wound vac for continuous cleaning and to help prevent infection.  We were informed he would need another surgery in a few days for reconstruction.  We met David coming out of recovery and went up to his hospital room with him... 


 We were experiencing one of the worst moments of our lives... and yet we were about to be humbled and overwhelmed by the love of God and the love, care and concern of His body, the church.  

Word had gotten out... people were praying from Guatemala to Alaska to India.  

Friends from so many different "sections" of our lives came to hug us and cry with us and pray with and for us... friends from our church family and church families of our past, friends from the boys' soccer team, and friends from life and from our neighborhood, and family who dropped everything and drove over from Georgia.

They came to be the body of Christ to us.  They went to our house and brought us things we needed. They provided food for us throughout our entire hospital stay...  so much food that we were able to share with the family of the other girl also injured in the wreck who was just across the hall from us... and they are still providing food as I type this, going on 3 weeks later.  They thought of things we needed that we couldn't think of ourselves and provided.  They provided a safe place for Paul to stay so James and I could stay with David. They mowed our lawn for us. They fed our pets.  They provided books, toys, games and more food!  They provided a computer for James to use so he could get some work done.  

The body of Christ surrounded us with love and prayers.  The body of Christ willingly met every need we had, often without us even asking.  We were and still are overwhelmed by the love and kindness of the body of Christ.  

David had his second surgery the following Monday, the 13th.  They were able to reconstruct much of his big toe and closed the wounds where his other toes had been.  The surgeon told us the surgery resulted in the best case scenario!  

We are currently in the midst of recovery, and we have a long and hard road to walk before our David is completely recovered, but we have been told he will walk again, he will run again, and he will play soccer again (which is his passion).  He will do all these things again to the glory of God.  

So many people have sent us scriptures and prayers that have been so very timely, that have ministered greatly to our hurting and weary hearts and minds.  But I want to share one thing that was so timely that it took my breath away...

My dear friend and prayer partner sent me a text the day of David's second surgery, in it she included a picture of something from a computer screen.  She said that she was strongly prompted by the Lord to send it... This is what it said:

"Most bad things happen suddenly and without warning -

 you can recover;

 Look back only for lessons learned." 

Paul Schmid, James' dad

These timely words were taken from the obituary of my husband's dad, who passed away in February of 2014.  The Lord had led my friend to them the morning of our David's second surgery.  How sweet that the words of his dad were able to speak comfort and hope to my husband's heart, and to my heart, as we were in the midst of the hardest thing we have experienced as a family.

In the days to come I hope to share some of the lessons we have and are learning...  

Until then, seek the Lord, get to know Him through His Word and through prayer, walk closely with Him, for you will need Him when when the bad things happen...

By His Grace... The Last Day of 5th Grade

By the sustaining grace of God and the enabling and equipping of the Holy Spirit, today is our last day of 5th grade!

This has been a good year, but a hard year.  We have had many long days, many frustrations over not wanting to do our work completely with excellence... we have had many talks about the attitudes of our hearts, many talks about the privilege of being able to learn, the blessing of having good minds that learn things easily without really having to struggle.  We have had to make ourselves work hard and long hours, and we have accomplished much!  When I sat down and really looked at what all we have learned and done this past year I know it is only by the sustaining grace of God that we have finished well!

By the grace of God.... We have studied 1st and 2nd Corinthians verse by verse, read through the book of Psalms, and most of Matthew.  The boys have memorized all of 1 Corinthians 13, and 75 more verses of scripture.
By the grace of God... We have studied the countries of the Eastern Hemisphere.  We have learned about the land, the climate, the geography, the people, the economy, the way of life, the religions, and the history of the following countries:  China, North and South Korea, Japan, Russia, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, India, Middle East, Israel, Africa (focusing on Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria), New Zealand, Australia, and Antarctica.  And they have comprised an Eastern Hemisphere notebook with information about each of these countries.
By the grace of God.... I have read aloud 3,968 pages of stories that have carried us in our minds to these different countries where we have experienced life through the eyes of many fascinating characters.
The boys have each read 3,618 additional pages of stories that have given them insight into the lives of people living in these countries in the past and present.
We have read about the lives of real people who have made a difference in the world for the glory of God, people such as Teresa of Calcutta, William Carey, David Livingstone, Mary Slessor, Hudson Taylor, Father Matteo Ricci, and Salva Dut (we are praying for the salvation of Salva Dut; in our reading of A Long Walk to Water, there was no indication that he knows the Lord Jesus Christ, what an impact he could have on the many he has influence over if he could share with them the Living Water of Christ Jesus.)
By the grace of God... We have completed 119 English lessons, 10 tests, and weekly creative writing assignments as well as a research paper.
By the grace of God.... We have completed 120 math lessons, 23 math tests, 12 math investigations, and fact tests at least 3 times a week.
By the grace of God.... We have learned 300 plus vocabulary words... this is not counting science vocabulary or vocabulary words we have looked up during our various readings...
By the grace of God... We have studied Chemistry, consisting of 97 lessons and 18 tests on properties of matter, atoms and molecules, and ecosystems...
By the grace of God.... The boys have been tested on and mastered the spelling of 511 spelling words...

They have also taken art classes for the year, and graced the walls of our home and the homes of others with impressive pieces of art.  They have taken piano lessons weekly and practiced for hours each week.  Their music is a joy to listen to and often brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.   They have practiced countless hours for soccer.  They have played many soccer games, experienced their 1st season of competitive soccer, placed 1st in their league for the season, and placed second in their division at the state cup tournament!! 


Part of me wants to shout for joy and celebrate... another part of me wants to sit down and cry... I am so proud of our boys, of all their hard work, and of the many things they (and I) have learned this past year.  Yet I am also sad that this is the end... the days are flying by faster and faster each year.  I long to hold on to them, to treasure them a little longer, to slow time down just a bit...  Our Lord has blessed our children with many talents and skills.  What a joy it is to watch those talents being developed and honed... may they use each one for and to the glory of God!

I am thankful... for the blessing of teaching my children... for watching them learn and grow... for the sustaining grace of God and the daily enabling and strengthening of the Holy Spirit...

And I am grateful for a break!!  Summer here we come!!