October 11, 2009 by admin.

Well, we’ve been to Lyons, GA and Chickamauga GA, and Glasgow, KY in the last two weeks.  We had some real old time singing and preaching services!  The last place we were, a man got up and ran around the sanctuary, laughing and shouting.  You just don’t see things like that every day nowadays.  I remember some times in my early childhood when folks would shout and cry and run- mostly older folks even then- but nowadays, people think if our deacon gives a loud hollering testimony, we had a HolyGhost meeting!  But the actually power and presence of God could be felt during some of these meetings, especially when we saw convicting power fall upon those who had been astray and they came weeping and broken to an old fashioned altar…by the way, why does it HAVE to be old fashioned?!  But that is a rabbit trail.  We talked to the kids in the van on the way home and said, you have seen real, and you have seen fake.  How can you tell the difference?  They all kinda looked at us for a second, and then like Peter, one of our kids spoke up and said, “Because you KNOW when God is speaking to you if you are saved.  You know what it sounds like.  You know what’s real and what is fake.”  I felt like running myself then!  For flesh and blood had not revealed that, but the Lord.  It is truly amazing to watch the Lord deal directly with your children (who are not so much children anymore). To know they are growing in the Lord is truly a blessing. 

School?  This coulple weeks, the only one really doing school is the dedicated Leah- the one in college.  Sarah, Logan and I finished up some loose ends, and Logan took one Algebra quiz while we were gone, but tomorrow begins another three days of cramming some academics in before leaving for the weekend again!  The verse for this couple weeks for us is - Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.  I sure hope I didn’t write that wrong. Sometimes when I quote, I don’t look up exact wording - all ya’ll fellow KJV enthusiasts, please excuse the paraphrase if I mispunctuated!  HAHA

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September 9, 2009 by admin.

I have many legitimate excuses for why I did not learn Algebra when I was 14, but the fact remains that I just didn’t want to.  My Mother was sick with cancer - and I needed glasses but wouldn’t tell anyone- when I was in 7th grade Pre-Algebra.  But I passed.  I learned it.  When 8th grade came along, my Mom passed away on Sept 13th.  Not a good start to the school year.  The teacher was old and smelled like Marlboro’s and stale coffee.  She wore sleeveless blouses which accentuated her skinny granny arms which flapped in the breeze everytime she wrote on the blackboard.  She also broke chalk and had fits of exasperation in class.  I did not learn Algebra.  But I passed.  I cheated.  I am ashamed of that now, and would NEVER want my children to resort to such behavior.  I did fess up in high school when they wanted to put me in Algebra 2.   I took business math that year.   W

When my oldest daughter took Algebra, I said, “I can’t do it. You are on your own.”  She did it.  And does very well.  She is teaching her sister and brother this year.  And me.  I have seen the error of my ways and have decided that I was very wrong to tell Leah to teach herself, and Lord help you.  She forgave me, but I was repremanded yesterday for my attitude.  She’s gonna be a great teacher.  :)  

Hopefully I’ll be a better student this time.  I made an 85% this morning on my first quiz.   Hopefully I’ll learn more than Algebra. Hopefully, character!

Posted in Algebra, curriculum, homeschooling | 1 Comment »

August 30, 2009 by admin.

James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

If you ‘get into’ numbers in the Bible, the number 16 is the number of love.  That’s what I was once told by a wise preacher’s wife, anyhow.  So I think the best thing we can do to love one another is to pray for one another.

I have written below, many names of homeschooling Moms whom I know.  We all need prayer as this school year starts.  I haven’t included the kids’ names for obvious privacy reasons, but I don’t think any homeschooling mom would mind having her name posted for prayer.  If your name is on the list and you want removed, email me - hoyfamtree@yahoo.com  If you were forgotten- PLEASE forgive me, and let me know!

Patricia O’Neil, Summer Chafa, Ginny Hickman, Jamie Brantley, Jessy Stone, Lena Steele, Michelle Wilson, Jessica Spence, Sherry Robinson, April Winnell, Stacy Short, Jami Sumner, Crissy Edwards, Kim Landers, Anne Minnick, Joan Townsend, Lori Eller, Teresa Harris, Kim Underwood, Teri Bee, Peggy Hoy

 Will update as things come in. 

Also, to comment, I’ve been informed by my webmaster, you need to register for this site.  It’s not hard, so do it and comment if you wish.  I asked him to change that setting for a little while and see if I get loads of spam, but so far, he hasn’t gotten to it. 

Tomorrow’s our first day!  Pray for me  (wink)

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August 5, 2009 by admin.

Don’t panic!!!  Have you sent in yourLetter of Intent?  How about your curriculum?  Have you decided when you are going to do laundry?  The KITCHEN NEEDS PAINTED!!!  AHHH…

 Deep breath.  August is an ‘exciting’ month for us.  I am thinking it’s that way for you too.  But not to worry, all’s well. 

The first question- Have you sent in your Letter of Intent?   In WV, it is law that you send a letter to the board of education explaining your decision to homeschool.  You can find a sample letter at:  www.chewv.org  This has to be done every year no matter if it’s your first year, or your eleventh.  

To make things easier, I started sending in my letter of intent with my test scores.  That way,  I know they get it - because I send my test scores either registered mail or delivery confirmation- and I know it’s not late. 

 Second question - curriculum?   If you have ordered your curriculum, you should have started receiving shipments (A Beka) or whole packages (ACE etc)  
This year, we are short on cash, so I’m bitsing and piecing curriculum.  And no, I’m not nervous about it.  I have curriculum calluses!    There is a peace in knowing you are doing exactly what the Lord wants you to do, and HE will equip you to do it. 

 Now, I can’t help you with scheduling your laundry time around school.  That’s an individual family thing.  But, I can tell you that it won’t do itself.  I suggest a home-ec class - Right Patricia?  :) 

Repaint the kitchen?  You have to be kidding.  Focus and concentrate on the today of homeschooling.  If you absolutely NEED to paint the kitchen…my suggestion is get it done before school starts if you are a control freak, or make it a class project.  Remember- HOMEschool. 

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August 3, 2009 by admin.

The Lord impressed upon our hearts before we were married to homeschool our children.  We were ignorant, and knew no one else who homeschooled their kids, but we were sure that the Lord wanted it this way, so we started out by learning whatever we could about it. 

We began homeschooling in earnest in 1995 when our daughter, Leah was 4 years old, but our plan had never been to send our children to either private or public school. Now, with Leah done with high school and beginning college, Sarah beginning tenth grade, and Logan in eighth, we think we’ve learned a thing or two, so we’d like to share - and we’d like to help ease fears about homeschooling if possible.  We welcome questions - no question is too small or dumb! 

Just a thing or two that is imperative for those of you who have never homeschooled:

#1. Trust God - it’s His plan. He wouldn’t give you kids you can’t teach.
#2. Know the law - WV law can be found at http://wvhea.org/lawsection.htm
#3. Get wise counsel - ask other homeschooler’s questions
#4. Don’t be afraid- you can do it!!!

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