Homeschool Nations - New Jersey - The Old Schoolhouse Newsletter

Homeschool Nations - New Jersey

Oct. 29, 2008

The Old Schoolhouse Newsletter

We just wanted to take this issue to encourage each of you (in the U.S.) to get out and vote next Tuesday. I know that it can be hard to get away from the house to go vote, but, with so much at stake, it's worth the effort. In fact, maybe you could even call a few friends from your support group and set up a playdate so that moms could go out to vote while the kids are playing.

As the quote says, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

There are a lot of other great words of encouragement and helpful links in this newsletter about the election and election process, so I'm just going to give you some updates on all that is going on at TOS.

We have two great contests on the HomeschoolBlogger Front Porch. You can win a copy of The Quest for Thunder Mountain or the new Homespun Holidays E-Book.

Homespun Holidays will be available for sale in our Schoolhouse Store next week, but you can get your very own copy for FREE with a new 2 year U.S. subscription this week. Offer ends October 31, 2008. Be sure to let your friends know.

Has your family been enjoying this fall weather by creating an interesting leaf collection? We'd love to show off your photos in our online gallery. Read the details and submit your photos by November 7, 2008.

Oh, and the Schoolhouse Store staff has been really working hard. They've already put up the November free E-Book in the store. You can go ahead and download your copy of the Letter Links eGame. It's a $6.95 value!

You can also save over 35% on our November module, Amusing Mathematics E-Book this week only. They sent me a copy to look over and I think it may be one of our bestsellers. It's filled with delightful brainteasers and at only $5, you can't go wrong!

Enjoy every minute!

THM Editor

P.S. Check out this month's Classical Astronomy e-newsletter for details on some exciting events in the sky Friday and Saturday night. Subscribe to the Classical Astronomy newsletter and have information emailed directly to you or join the Classical Astronomy Yahoo Group for more discussion!

Mercy Every Minute
Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

This subject reminds me of a story in the Bible about some folks who wanted a ruler other than God. They just had to have a king. And not just anyone - they wanted someone who looked good and sounded good to lead them. Who cares if he was godly or not, they just wanted a king like the other nations had. We all know the story of Saul and his own demise (if not, read 1 Samuel chapters 9 - 31).

Today is not much different. Many want leaders and rulers who look good and sound good whether or not they are good, godly men and women. We need to heed our history and look to God for His appointed ones.

I won't tell you who to vote for, but what to vote for. Vote for biblical morality and righteousness. Do not vote for anything God would not vote for; or that which would go against His commands.

If a candidate does not believe in the sanctity of human life, don't vote for them because the Bible says that all life is God breathed and knit together by Him; made for His purposes. If a candidate believes in stealing from one to give to another, don't vote for them, for the Bible says that stealing is sin. If a candidate says that parents don't have the right to choose the educational direction for their children, don't vote for them because the Bible says that parents are mandated to teach their children.

As you are teaching your children the process of the elections, don't forget to teach them who should set the precedence of the elections. In other words, don't forget God and His Word. It is the most essential voter guide there is to give us wisdom in our electoral decisions. That coupled with prayer and repentance may bring our land the healing it desperately needs.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

~Deborah

Contest Central
For the month of October

The Martyr's Victory: A Story of Danish England

Historical Fiction Book

A small portion of the review:

The Martyr's Victory, by Emma Leslie, begins by introducing us to Egbert, a young frail Saxon living in the country of Mercia. He is continually scorned and laughed at by his family and the world. Resolving to run away and die in the woods, he meets an elderly monk who invites Egbert into the church's realm of safety. Forsaking all he has ever known, Egbert follows the monk, Osric, to a new life at the monastery. There he learns to read, write, and copy the scriptures.

But danger arises as the savage Danes of the north threaten to destroy the monastery and all of Mercia. A meeting is held in the church and it is decided that six monks shall venture to the Danish lands bringing not only the seed of grain, but also the seed of truth found in the Word of God. Egbert wishes to come along but cannot, because he is too weak. Told that he, and several others, may join the party of six in about a year's time, he is content to remain.

Upon arriving in Ea, an island in East Anglia, the six monks meet a young girl named Elswitha. They soon find out that she has just escaped from being sacrificed to Odin, their false god. Later in the village, Osric encounters a Danish warrior who has been drastically wounded in a single-combat battle and now believes that he is destined to die. As he is a skillful leech, Osric uses all in his power to work to cure the unfortunate Dane. Will he succeed? If he does succeed, will it help in saving Mercia from the warlike Danes? Will Osric's faith impact the Danish people? And what will happen to Egbert? Find out in The Martyr's Victory!

Read the complete review online and enter for a chance to win The Martyr's Victory: A Story of Danish England.

TO ENTER:
Email SeniorEditor@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com with your name and mailing address and the subject, "Martyr's Victory" for a chance to win*.

Congratulations to our September winner, Jennifer Sikora from Kentucky!

Schoolhouse Spotlight
Angela Quigley, Director of the Schoolhouse Store

Are you looking for a great way to learn about the election process with
your kids?

When citizens elect a president, who is also called the Chief Executive and
Commander in Chief, they are choosing who will lead the nation. Students will learn about the presidential election and follow the 2008 election process as they complete a lapbook using The United States Presidential Election 2008 Project Pack from In the Hands of a Child.

Get this item for 20% off through the rest of October!

To find other election related sale items click HERE.

~Angela

It's Just Common Sense
Ruth Beechick, Curriculum Specialist

Before watching the presidential election returns, help your children understand something about the electoral college that is specified in the U.S. Constitution:

Each state shall appoint, in such a manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of senators and representatives to which the state may be entitled in the Congress (Article II, Section1, from paragraph 2).

How many electors in your state? Each state specifies how its electors are chosen and how they can or must vote. In 24 states the electors are not bound to vote according to the ballot counts in their districts and in 27 states they are bound by law or pledge to do so. This totals 51 because Washington, D.C., is included.

With this system it is possible at times for a candidate to lose by the electoral college votes, yet to receive more of the "popular vote," the count of all individual ballots. For this reason there are often attempts to change the law, all of which have failed so far. The slogan "one person, one vote" sounds fair to a lot of people.

But think through that popular vote system. Presidential candidates could campaign in a few large cities and gain enough votes to win. And while in office they could direct most benefits to those areas to keep their support, and the rest of the country would be neglected.

You and your children can cheer or groan as the state votes are reported on election night, beginning with the eastern time zone. The official results occur later when the electors transmit the state votes to the president of the Senate.

--Ruth