Hymns, Hymns - Everywhere Hymns!

We just wrapped up our last term of Year 1 with my oldest. Because we began Ambleside in January, we school on a calendar year, rather than the traditional fall-through-spring year. At any rate, we are finished with this term and taking a short break before we begin Year 2 on Monday. I can't wait to introduce my daughter to Understood Betsy, and to start reading The Little Duke with her. It is going to be a great term!

I am taking advantage of this free time to do a major preparation blitz. Here is one of those "Know Thyself" things - I tend to get very excited and energized, obsess over give my full attention to a project for a while, then get sidetracked lose my motivation. I have learned that the more prep I get done when I'm running flat out, the more smoothly things go even when I lose energy.

All this is leading up to a blitz of posts over the next few days. I do apologize if you get sick of seeing blog notifications! I'll start by posting the printouts and links for our hymns. It is always a lot of fun putting these little sheets together, choosing which pictures illustrate the heart of the hymns (as I see it, of course). Ambleside has a great line-up of hymns over the next few months. Click the link to download a printable .pdf file with lyrics and composer information.


November: Anywhere With Jesus

I know, I know. November is over. However, I am taking our hymn sheets for the year and binding them together to create a personal hymnal for my oldest. In case you are collecting them in any way, I thought I would post them all. (Plus, if I ever lose my files, they will be safely archived online.)

The kids and I have been rocking out to Amy Grant's jazzed-up version. Every time we play it, we have a mass dance party!

December: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, also known as the Doxology

This is one of my favorite praise pieces ever. We already know this one - we regularly sing it for our blessing over the meal - so we are spending our December advent singing Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel. I cry every.single.time we listen to it. This is my favorite version, currently.

January: My Song is Love Unknown


February: This is My Father's World

March: Ah, Holy Jesus

I love the image for this hymn. Isn't that painting beautiful?


April: Count Your Blessings

Have you read Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Blessings? It beautifully illustrates how the practice of counting your blessings can change your heart and ultimately the way you see the world. I have been reading through it ever so slowly for the last year. This is life-changing stuff! Go visit Ann on her blog A Holy Experience.


May: All Creatures of Our God and King

So there you go… hymn printouts for the rest of the official school year.  I am looking forward to a great year of art, music, literature, and Grand Conversations! As 2013 begins, what are you most looking forward to?