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December 31, 2014 Edition 
Starting Your New Year Off Right!  
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is YOUR trade magazine for family education. Stay subscribed to this newsletter because this is the place where we give FREE education gifts on a regular basis. Read the magazine anytime, 24/7 at www.TOSMagazine.com. It's the Family Education Magazine!

Gena Suarez

Hey Mama,

 

So much to be thankful for. Look at this time last year. You have grown. There have been trials, tribulations, problems, hurtful seasons, and pain. There has also been joy, new life, friends who have stayed closer than a brother, and blessings from the Lord's hand so direct that you know it was Him. Of course it was Him.

You have grown. Your children have grown. The tapestry ... more threads every day. It will gloriously hang about your shoulders when you are old, holding you tight. You will look back and see that while things were not always perfect and even done very badly, God is the God of hope and peace, of love and second chances. The tapestry continues to weave under His watchful eye. He holds it up and continues to build up what He has purposed.

What will you be known for? Will your tapestry tell a story of perseverance, great trust in the Lord. And faithfulness to the end? That is our goal, Mama. But all of the greatest men and women of the Bible, even Abraham whom God referred to as "friend," had rotten seasons. Really rotten. But they did not give up. They were found faithful to the end.

And we too are made righteous through Christ. He makes clean our very core. The tapestry weaves and braids, moves in and out, winding, interlinking, twisting, looping and inter-folding - and by His hands. This means His hand ... as always ... is on your head today.

Walk thankfully. You who are in Christ have a future that is good--very good. Leave your children squarely in His hands. Set your troubles at His feet. Cast your cares on Him, the One who cares for you. Joy comes in the morning.

 

Have a blessed new year with Him!

 

~ gena

[email protected]

PS. If you need some encouragement or ideas for your homeschool for this new year, read our November/December issue  (especially Deborah Wuehler's article "I Don't Have Time") or any of our back issues.

 
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Relational Homeschooling    
 
Diana Waring
From the January 2, 2013 issue of THM

Dear Friends,

 

Happy New Year! May this new year be filled with ever-increasing joy for you and your family.

 

Now, unlike homeschooling moms in the southern hemisphere who are just getting ready to start school (it is mid-summer there!), you are probably facing a wall of inertia at the moment. I mean, didn't you just give every ounce of energy into creating a fabulous Christmas experience for your family? Not only that, only a few months ago you launched a new school year for your kids! Whew!! No wonder an insurmountable wall of inertia is looming over you.

 

So, what's a mom to do? Here are three suggestions that come from my own struggles to get through that wall, particularly when January is so grey and tedious. 

 

Here's the list: 

    • Inspire 
    • Analyze 
    • Energize 

First of all, Inspire. When facing obstacles of any sort, it has been remarkably helpful to read someone else's story about how they overcame the odds, broke through the wall, and achieved their goals. Inspiration provides that first step of getting our hearts to believe that it is possible to keep going.  That is why we love stories of people like Joni Eareckson Tada and Corrie ten Boom, because they remind us that there is incredible blessing on the other side of our pain.  

 

The second step is Analyze. Take some time--alone, with your spouse, or with an encouraging friend to ask yourself specifically what factors are weighing you down. Are you the Type-A driven homeschool mom who can never say "no," and who thinks that if maxing out is good then adding a few more pieces would be even better? (I can speak from experience on that one: simplify, simplify, simplify!)  Do you have a child who is not thriving on that expensive curriculum, but you are determined to wring every bit of value you can out of it? (Simply put, which is more valuable, your child or the money you spent on the curriculum?) Are you suffering the exhaustion of trying to keep up with the homeschooling version of the Joneses? (Ah, dear one, no one keeps up with those guys. Did you know they don't really exist?) Write down the specific issues and then prayerfully and carefully consider your options. What can you put out with the trash??? 

 

Finally, Energize. As a Homeschool Practitioner, I am going to write you a prescription for beating the winter blues. Make lots of room in your heart, your mind, and your schedule to add in great doses of humor, fun, and games! It will provide an energizing zest for both you and your children, making each day easier and more profitable for all.

 

That's it! Happy New Year!!

 

Remember, stay relational.

 

Diana

 
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I don't know about you, but I'm still working on the OLD year. In fact, ours ended with a fizzle. Not only did we miss all of the Thanksgiving celebration because of sickness in the house, but we also missed most of the Christmas celebration (different sickness), and as I type this our New Year's celebration isn't looking too promising either.

In spite of that, God has been so good to us in 2014, and if I wasn't too depressed to start the new year with a bang, I'd start it with a bang!!
 
Truth is, I'm not ready to start a new year. New Year's means beginnings, gearing up, plans, and resolutions. I think I'll start my new year out by easing into it and enjoying the remaining days of Christmas break (Valentine's Day is a good day to begin school). You should too ... ease into it, that is.

Instead of planning for your new year, why not spend these last few days playing games with your children, straightening up your desk, working on your scrapbook, or staying up late watching your favorite family videos?

Can I encourage you to stay off the INTERNET, Facebook, Pinterest, and your smart phone? Those things are family-sucking devices and keep you distracted from what matters most.

So, use plenty of hand sanitizer and enjoy the last day of 2014 and the next few days of 2015 with your family.
 
Be real,
Todd   
 
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Did you know? Every class is INCLUDED for members! No limits!

Let's start the new year by taking a look back--way back--to the days of Pompeii, Athens, and the first Olympics. Join Regan Barr for Classical Archaeology as he shows us why the lessons of the past impact the future. We're spotlighting his class with a course preview video. Take a look at what you'll discover!

 

Classical Archaeology 

Classical Archeology
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Announcement
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Announcement

As you read through the magazine, jot  
down where you see these TOS Apples.  
Then enter your answers HERE.
 
One person* who finds all the apples
will be selected to win a Kindle Fire!


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Would you like to earn 20% commission on TOS items that family and friends purchase through an affiliate website? It's easy, check out this page for more information. Once you are signed up, you simply share your unique affiliate link with family and friends. If anyone purchases anything from the TOS website using your affiliate link, you receive a 20% commission. There are even buttons available to help you promote your affiliate link on your website or blog.

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Contest Corner 
For the month of December, 2014

 

Book 1 and 2 from Wizzy Gizmo

 

  

Recently, the Schoolhouse Review Crew had an opportunity to review a group of products that are all about providing resources to parents and teachers to help them "Equip children for life by exploring God's Word."

 

So "what" is a Wizzy Gizmo? You should be asking "who" is Wizzy Gizmo. He is a brilliant inventor who creates all manner of extraordinary gadgets. These inventions are used to help kids explore the Bible. Wizzy Gizmo is also a series of Bible books for kids, Bible audio dramas, Bible flashcards, and more. These Bible resources for kids are intended to appeal to kids and open up the truths of the Bible in an exciting way.

Here are the products you can expect to read about as you browse through the Crew Reviews:

 

Book One: Who Created Everything?

This paperback book is simply the written telling of Wizzy Gizmo adventure in Genesis 1. The book contains highlighted vocabulary words. There is also a glossary and a set of review questions in the back. Ideal for ages 4-12.

 

Book Two: In His Image

This is the story of Adam & Eve. Readers will learn how God made man different from the rest of His creation. We are reminded how we were created in the image of a creative and almighty God. This paperback book also contains vocabulary words, in addition to the glossary and review questions located in the back. Ideal for ages 4-12.

 

Click on the banner below to read the Crew Reviews!

  

Wizzy Gizmo Review  

YOU can WIN Wizzy Gizmo books!

 

TO ENTER: Email Heather with your name, mailing address, and phone number for contact purposes, with the subject line, "Wizzy Gizmo" for a chance to win* the these two books for your family!  

 

 

In this week's issue:
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