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The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

    

November 23, 2011

Thankful for You


Greetings!

Deborah's  Picture    

  I want to thank YOU, our readers, for loving us and encouraging us here at The Homeschool Minute. I don't always get to answer all the emails that come in, but I read each one and thank God for each one of you, and I thank Him for once again doing His work in each of our hearts. I pray you have a most blessed Thanksgiving season.
 

Thanksgiving is one holiday tradition of men that ought to be practiced and practiced well, as it reflects upon the goodness and providence of our great God. We feast because God has given us the resources to feast. We feast because our hearts are full of gratitude for all that God has provided. We sit in peace at our tables because God has given us the liberty and freedom to do so. No matter how little, we have much to be thankful for: God Himself.
 

Thanksgiving is by far one of my favorite holidays. I hope to foster a heart of gratitude in my children and remind myself that if I only have HIM, I have more than enough of all things that matter. I can rest in the knowledge of the goodness of God, whose hand is upon my family and yours.
 

What I would really like to say to you today is that I am so very thankful for you. You have not only supported us with your prayers and notes of encouragement, you have also supported us with your likeminded fellowship and have told your friends about us. We are filled with gratitude. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
 

From all of us here at The Old Schoolhouse� Magazine, may your Thanksgiving be blessed beyond measure! And, be thankful for every day that you are blessed to have those children Home Where They Belong!


~ Deborah

TOS Senior Editor


P.S. Here is something I wrote that I pray is a blessing to you. Crosswalk.com placed this in its Thanksgiving section this year: Thanksgiving: Celebrating Divine Goodness  

 

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Gena is away from THM this week, but she'll return soon. Meanwhile, discover how you can get Gena's new E-Book FREE!

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Creation Revolution  

 

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures that we enjoy watching in gardens or at birdfeeders. One thing about hummingbirds has baffled scientists until recently: How do they stay dry in rainy climates? 

 

Read the answer to that question and discover how wonderfully God designed hummingbirds in this article: Hummingbirds Reveal Another Exceptional Design Feature.

 

The FamilymanTodd Wilson
Todd Wilson, Familyman Ministries  

 

Okay, I'm officially freaking out here. I don't know if you've noticed or not . . . but tomorrow is THANKSGIVING! I'm not ready for Thanksgiving. I'm lagging behind, but my kids are in full swing and have been pestering me for a week about decorating the house for Christmas.


Time goes by too quickly. This whole holiday thing will be over by the time you read this email . . . just a dim shadow in the great rear-view mirror of life. But that's the great thing about Thanksgiving; it forces us to slow down just long enough to catch our breath, reflect, and give thanks to God for all that He has blessed us with and brought us through in the past year.
 

And like Bob Cratchit once said, "I am truly a blessed and happy man."
 

Part of the pondering has led me to be thankful for all of you and our ongoing friendship. It's good to know that there are people out there who face the same trials that I do. It's comforting to know that you sometimes blow it and forget about what matters most. You've written me, and it encourages me. And for that, I am truly thankful.
 

So keep up the good work, take a deep breath, and enjoy the wonderful day we call Thanksgiving with your family.
 

Be real,
 

Todd 

 


It's Just Common Sense 

Ruth Beechick, Curriculum Specialist 

and

Debbie Strayer, Homeschool Consultant  

 

Watch two extra children? Change your schedule at the last minute? Stop your busy day to pray with a friend? I have been blessed to know families who would say yes to all these questions without any hesitation. As one of my dear friends would say when I asked her to add my children to her lively brood for a day, "The more the merrier!" I wouldn't have believed everyone who said that to me, but there was a love and generosity about her that warmed my heart with her sincere affection for them and me. 


Homeschooling families are special. With formalities put away and homes that are alive with projects and animals and brothers and sisters and a comforting amount of the lived-in look, these people have embraced the truth that real life includes family. Coming from a public school teaching background, I have been grateful to learn the true meaning of education from my children, homeschool friends, and all those I have met who have determined to do what it takes to teach their children.

You are a special group. You are inspiring, encouraging, and even, if I might say, entertaining! No two of you are alike, and the joy and devotion with which you tackle even the most challenging situation has often brought me to tears of admiration.

It is an honor to share a few thoughts with you each week. We hope and pray that you are encouraged, inspired, and even feel like someone understands your journey.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives. Thank you for your heartfelt stories of trials and your sweet recountings of victories. The effects of your sacrifice will be felt for many years to come. When your children are grown and you see them following in your footsteps, you will know how truly valuable your sacrifices were. Until then, continue on, and may the God of all grace fill you with His hope, peace, and blessings this Thanksgiving.

~ Debbie     

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  Schola Publication - 3rd Webinar

Contest Central  

For the month of November, 2011   

 

Point to Happy: A Book for Kids on the Autism Spectrum  

 

This is such a fun book! It is a large board book. We have a child living with us at present who has a probable diagnosis of autism, and we are looking for ways to improve her language and communications skills. This book comes with a pointer that reminds me of an old-fashioned back scratcher, but the handle isn't that long. It's a colorful plastic hand on a short extension to use for pointing.

 

The book contains large photographs of children in different moods and situations, different foods (apples, pretzels, raisins, pizza, etc.), and other familiar objects. The idea is to have the children point to what they are feeling, what they want, or what interests them. Just the act of pointing at the objects and connecting them in their minds helps them to learn to focus. We are just learning some of the ways of engaging this child, but I can see this book being a very helpful tool in this endeavor. It would be wonderful if Workman Publishing would come out with some similar flashcards (heavy cardboard like the board book) to accompany this so that the child could actually hold each one in his or her hand.

 

We will use this book a lot, and I recommend it to others who need this type of resource. It could be a useful tool in improving the communications skill of your very special child.

 

Read more Learning Styles/Special Education product reviews here.

 

Win this resource for your family!

 

TO ENTER:

Email Deb with your name, mailing address, and phone number for contact purposes, with the subject line, "Point to Happy" for a chance to win* this book!

 

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*Disclaimer and Legal Notice:
The Old Schoolhouse
Magazine, LLC ("Company") is sponsoring the November Contest Central contest running from November 1, 2011, to November 30, 2011. You must be 18 years of age or older and follow all rules to participate. Entering the contest constitutes full and complete acceptance of, and a warranty that the entrant has read, understands and agrees to, all contest terms and conditions, including without limitation all of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC Contest Rules ("Official Rules") and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Writer Guidelines and Terms and Conditions for Submitting Queries. All Official Rules apply. Entry also constitutes full consent and unlimited permission for Company to print, publish, broadcast and use all intellectual property and personal information submitted as part of the Contest entry on the Internet and in any and all Company publications in accordance with the Rules. Entries become the sole property of Company and will not be returned. Employees and independent contractors of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, Contest sponsors, individuals or entities furnishing Contest prizes and their family members may not participate in this contest. Company reserves the sole, discretionary right to determine contest winners and to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the contest or the Rules at any time with or without notice or cause, subject to applicable law. See Official Rules for details.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

For a full copy of the Official Rules, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to The Old Schoolhouse
Magazine: Official Rules Request, PO Box 8426, Gray, TN 37615