Leah and her electric violin

We’re getting into the hot summer months now here in Missouri. Some of our summer plans include the zoo (an annual excursion) and hopefully a family vacation. I’d LOVE to be able to go to the beach! What are your summer plans?

Our family moved to a beautiful new home recently, and we have been busy unpacking and organizing. We’ve been praying for a year now for a new rental home. I love our new place! God is so good.

Leah is staying busy drawing with her graphic art tablet, hanging out with her teen friends at small group on Sundays, and taking violin lessons.

She really enjoys playing the violin. Her wonderful instructor, Emily, says that she’s doing well and lessons are a blur now. Listening to Leah practice blesses me so much.

Emily is about to order a new book that comes with a CD, which teaches students using the Suzuki method.

Emily is very excited about this. I’d heard of it before when reading another homeschool parent’s blog.

The method was begun by Japanese violinist Shin’ichi Suzuki,  who wished to bring beauty to the lives of children in his country after the devastation of World War I.

The central belief in the Suzuki method is that all people are capable of learning from their environment. The essential components of his method spring from the desire to create “the right environment” for learning music. Suzuki also believed that this positive environment would help to foster character in students.  (Resource: Wikipedia)

“I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart.” ~Shin’ichi Suzuki

Spiritually, Jesus is the one who gives us a beautiful heart when we receive Him as Lord and Savior. He forgives us of all our sins, and makes us brand new.

“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13, ESV

Do you have a beautiful heart? Do you know Him?

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