Walking Therein

HSBA Memo Monday

Wow… I just realized Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Yes, sometimes life just flies by, and things are upon us me before we I even know it. Funny how that happens as we are living life, isn’t it? But, before I get to deciding if we are going to go with the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy or rolled tacos, tortillas and beans and rice, I have a few things to share.

Thankfulness. It is a theme you almost miss these days, since even the retailers go directly from halloween to christmas sales. Even the younger bloggers have noticed this, and they have their own opinion about it. I was reading about it over at The Voice of Experience. I’ll tell you, the more I blog on Home Where They Belong, the more I am thankful I homeschool.

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Homeschool News

My news really isn’t news at all. It isn’t ‘new’ news, anyway. My homeschool news is how thankful we must be to have the freedom to home school in this country. That though we are all homeschoolers, we are all different. Whether we are Believers in Jesus as the Savior of the world, or we are atheist and adhere to that belief or anywhere in-between, we are all homeschoolers, and we do have much to learn from each other. Even if it only is to be human and respectful and try to see each others’ perspectives.

I am not saying you will or even can agree with me on my views, because I come on strong in my own particular way most of the times. I am, however, thankful I am still allowed to exercise my right to educate my children at home. I am thankful Matt and I as their parents can choose by what means we educate them and have a support group of family and friends as we do so. I am thankful you are free to educate your children, regardless of what your belief in teaching them is.

Our freedoms as people and especially as parents are being legislated away every time we turn around in our great nation, and we can be thankful that we are homeschoolers, because, in some countries, we would either be in jail or fleeing for our lives for choosing to home educate. I am choosing to thank God for this freedom.

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Homeschool Tip

Homeschool your children in every moment of your life. Don’t think that because they are not writing in a workbook or reading according to the prescribed class agenda for that day that they are not learning. Look for everyday times to teach them. Let their interests be a source of your teaching too.

With the changing seasons, now is the perfect time to write. Don’t think you need some special curriculum or an idea book. All you need is a pad of paper and a pen or pencil. Seeing everything outside changing and the wind blowing, it is a great opportunity to get outside and write a poem. Sit outside and sketch. Let them come up with some ideas of their own and some stories about the weather and the leaves.

I find this a wonderful opportunity to reinforce and strengthen our faith in God as the Creator. We can use many different things in nature to talk to them about what we believe from the Bible. Letting them ask the questions and narrate the stories and the facts back to me gives me a great opportunity to find out what they are learning and also what interests them.

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Prayer Requests

I was made aware of a Mom who found out today that her 19 year-old son was cleaning his gun and accidentally shot himself and died. Please remember this family. They are not Believers, and are being ministered to by a local church as they suffer through this time. He leaves behind a child and a wife, and this has got to be one of those times you just want to wake up from the nightmare.

Linda I. of Beginning Our Journey just found out her son, Tristan, has Leukemia. Tristan is only two-years-old. If you would like to encourage Linda right now, I know she could use some encouraging words. Many moms know the despair and loss she is facing, and many of us do not. I don’t think you have to understand to tell her you are sorry and you are praying for her and Tristan and the whole family.

Chrissy of Moving the Mountain is battling depression right now, and could really use some encouragement. Last year she had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.

Six-year-old Sean has been battling cancer since August 2006.

Also, remember Heather and her family in your prayers.

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And, don't forget:

Amanda and I are moderating the HSB Literary Club this time around, and I have read 3 chapters out of our book. It is The Hedge of Thorns, published by Lamplighter. This little 88p book packs a powerful punch in the literary and heartstrings area already.

We have been working hard, posting information about the time period in which this book was written and making up discussion questions you can use to share this treasure with your children.

If you are interested, please consider joining us. There is still time. We will be discussing chapters one through three this Wednesday. Please feel free to read it alone or as a read-aloud with your children. I am in love with Lamplighter books now. They are definitely at the top of my Wish List!

This classic book was written in 1611 and is based on a true story of a young boy who learns the hard way that the choices we make can harm those we love the most. Because he desperately wants to know what is on the other side of a hedge of thorns, he puts his little sister in great danger. From his experience, we learn that God places boundaries in our lives because He loves us.

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Memo Mondays is designed to bring you homeschool news, any prayer requests, carnival reminders, product reviews, curriculum reviews, charity projects, and helpful homeschooling info.

You can read the rest of my Memo Monday post, including the Homeschool Freebies, Curriculum Review and The Carnival Reminders on my post Memo Monday: Thankful For Homeschooling.

Blessings! 

Jacque

Untitled Comment

10:18 AM, Monday, November 19, 2007 .. Posted by Ruth

Jacque,
Your post on Child Training was wonderful. I am in tears as I read it. My husband is not saved and it is hard to keep the foolish things out of our home. I try to train my children to love each other and others unconditionally and to not have a selfish heart. It is so hard in this world.
Thank you for your insight. I pray that you may be able to share with us more things on being a truly Godly woman. In this day and age it is so hard to find anything to really guide you in this search. I only find out what a truly Godly, Titus 2 woman is 2 years ago. I am so sad over the years I have wasted and the mistakes I have made. But God is good and He is a restorer.
I also wanted to let you know that I have chosen a winner for the snowflake contest. Stop by my blog and check out who the winner is.
Ruth

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11:08 AM, Monday, November 19, 2007 .. Posted by JEANNIE78

Wow what a post and those prayer requests, make my heart ache. I must say in regards to the book club I am so thrilled with this book.... cant wait for more chapters( do you know how hard it is to refrain and not get ahead.lol)

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11:48 AM, Monday, November 19, 2007 .. Posted by Jocelyndixon

Hello! This post was featured in the 25th Homesteading Carnival!
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Jocelyndixon/76491/
Please stop by and spread the word!

Thanks! and Happy Thanksgiving!
Jocelyn

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6:16 PM, Monday, November 19, 2007 .. Posted by Vicki

Great post!! I too am really thankful for being able to homeschool the girls, and for wonderful supportive friends that keep encouraging me to forge on...with the academics as well as charactor training.

*HUGS*