The Old Schoolhouse� 

has MORE for you!

Check out these resources:

Who We Are:

• About Us
• Contact Us

Greetings!

Deborah Wuehler  and family

"But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." Isaiah 64:8

I am in the middle of planning our annual Homeschool Project Fair, where children turn in projects in science, history, geography, and more. More than all other categories, the Fine Arts category always has the most entries. Children of all ages are the work of God's creative hand. And, it seems that children love to copy God's beautiful artwork as displayed in His creation.  

Never underestimate the power of art in a child's life. It just might be their future.  

God knew that one of my children would end up as an art major; but I had no idea. I did not realize how important art would be in his future. But, by God's direction, we became involved in a few art classes along the way, went to museums, entered contests, and met artists of many kinds. All of these things were involved in the shaping of my son's gifting from God even though I was oblivious.  

We may not have known the future, but as we allowed God to guide our homeschool path, He brought forth what He knew all along. He knows your children and the giftings He has given them. Trust Him to direct you as you walk this path of obedience. Sometimes you don't know which activities will ignite the flame of their future.  

Remember, our Great God is an artist, and we want our children to be like Him. He shaped each child, and He has good works for each one to do. Let's get them creating art and copying the Master Artist Himself and bring Him glory in all we do.  

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

~Deborah

TOS Senior Editor

SeniorEditor@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com  

Diana Waring

Relational Homeschooling

www.DianaWaring.com 

Dear Friends,

If you are anything like me, the words "art" and "children" in the same sentence immediately brings to mind an image of wildly imaginative kids creating an absolute MESS!

I know. I am fond of a clean house, too  

. . . and, yet, there is such an element of fun in making art that we neglect it to our peril.

That's a strong statement, isn't it?

Well, let's back up for a minute. So, how's homeschool going these days? Everybody excited, loving every minute of it? No one complaining of too much work? No one begging to go outside as spring begins to beckon?

I thought as much.

So, here's the deal. If you can open your heart, your mind, and your kitchen table to the possibility of an explosion of creativity, if you can provide the materials that encourage art to happen, if you can make a way for unhurried time to create, then something wonderful will begin. No matter what it looks like, it is the beginning of beauty, of artistry, of expressing the creativity which reflects our Creator.

And beginnings bring new life--even to April homeschools.

This is not about creating works that will hang in a gallery, nor does it require an artist overseeing everything your children do. Part of the joy of "art for all ages" is simply starting with what you have and what you know, and then creating something. The very act of creating art (whether sidewalk drawings with chalk, play dough sculptures, birthday cards from scraps of construction paper, stick figures climbing a hill, or anything else you can imagine) brings a zest, a freshness, a delight to the day that is beyond our normal experience.

Why? Because we were made to be creative . . . made in the image and likeness of the Creator--the One who made porpoises, flowers, oceans, trees, cats, and everything else in nature.

If this is a new idea for you, I would highly recommend the book, The Hidden Art of Homemaking, by Edith Schaeffer. It will open your eyes to the amazing opportunities for art in everyday life.

Remember, stay relational!

Diana

P.S. Here is a blog I wrote on Monday about art that you might enjoy.

Raising Real Men

www.RaisingRealMen.com 

Hal & Melanie Young

Just a few days ago, Edith Schaeffer, the widow of Francis Schaeffer, went to be with the Lord she loved so much. Her book, The Hidden Art of Homemaking, was very influential to Melanie in our early married life. The book showed the power of a wife and mother to create a home of peace and beauty for her family. We've tried to do that (not always succeeding!) and good art and good music have been things we've tried to expose our children to from their earliest years.

Did it make all our children artists and musicians? Nope! Some can't draw stick figures like Melanie, others are amazing. It's like music, some are gifted and others don't even have any interest in it, but you don't know until they try. We like having lots of art supplies available, then pointing children who love art toward more help. There are several good self-teaching art programs for elementary students out there, so we get some and see what happens. Occasionally, you'll find a child who just blows the curve. One of our little girls was drawing in perspective very young, so we sought out Hal's mother, an artist, for advice. She brings her down to her house for several days a few times a year and teaches her to paint and draw. If you don't know anyone like that for your budding artist, ask around, you may be surprised!

The thing is, it's okay if none of your children are born artists. When you give them a taste of true beauty, when you train them to appreciate the masters, you have blessed them. They can enjoy art all their lives because you've taught them to and pass on that love to their children. That's worth it right there.

Yours in the battle,

Hal and Melanie

Our convention season is starting up! We're speaking at the CHEA Bay Area Convention on April 13th in Santa Clara. See you there! We'll be traveling all over the United States (over 30 states) in the next few months. If you'd like us to speak in your area, head over to www.RaisingRealMen.com and let us know! 

in the latest issue of