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great.....I just haven't managed to use them much with my 10
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I appreciate Todd's highlighting of this, and
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The Old Schoolhouse Store Sale
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The Old Schoolhouse
Magazine
Home Where They
Belong
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June 6, 2007
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 Friends - friends for ourselves, friends for our
children, and friends for our families. I think God created
each of us with a desire for friends as a way of drawing us to
Him, our ultimate best friend, but knowing also that friends
make our journeys so much sweeter.
I have jokingly said
that if anyone is looking to relocate, they should just be a
friend of my family. God seems to always move them pretty
regularly. We develop these really close, rich relationships
and them BAM, off they go.
Maybe I cherish friendships
even more dearly because of that. We've had seasons where we
were blessed with many dear friends and other times when we
were a bit lonesome. And through it all, I've actually gotten
to the point where I can even be thankful for the lonesome
times for those are the times that we draw even closer to each
other and to God.
So if you're going through a season
rich with friendships, rejoice. And if you're going through a
bit of a lonesome stretch, rejoice in it as well. God knows
the desires of your heart and has a purpose for all that you
are going through today.
There is a friend who sticks
closer than a brother.
Prov
18:24
Enjoy every
minute!
THM Editor
P.S. If you want to work from home
and have a minimum of 20 hours a week to put in, talk to
Mari over in
our Sales Department.
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 Home Where They
Belong
Gena Suarez, TOS Publisher
Friends, you say? Friends? Are we going to talk
socialization again? Sigh. It seems to be the biggest myth
plaguing the homeschool community.
Those looking in
just don't get it. They see that Christian homeschooled
children are well behaved (generally), can look adults in the
eye and give a firm handshake, and are constantly out on some
field trip with other families. They see homeschooled kids in
co-ops, winning the national spelling bee (this just happened
this week!!), engaging in community - yet they still (eyes
squinting) throw the "socialization" question on us.
Here's a little of what I've written in the past on
the issue. Enjoy, and feel free to
comment.
-
Gena
|
 Homeschool Freebies
Julie Nott, TOS Marketing Manager
You know that Michael W. Smith song that
goes:
Friends are friends
forever,
If the Lord's the Lord of
them.
And a friend will not say
never,
'Cause the welcome will not
end.
It's a good song. Really it is. But I can honestly
say that those lyrics have not always rang true. I've had
friends hurt me really bad ... and they are Christians. And
sometimes, for one reason or another, they are not my "friend"
anymore. I mean ... we're still cordial, but we won't be
getting together for coffee or sharing our lives. And guess
what? I've hurt friends ... And you know what else? I've said
"No" or "Never" to a friend. And another thing. My welcome
will eventually end if I'm tired and need my friend to leave.
My experiences with friends (present and former ones)
have made good examples when I'm talking with my kids about
their friend troubles. It's a lesson we all have to learn in
life isn't it? What makes a good friend and what makes a bad
one?
This week I'd like to just share some of my
favorite quotes about friendship. Instead of surfing the web
for my freebies this week, how about taking your best buddy
out for some coffee? Or a simple phone call or note to tell
them how much they are appreciated? And hey, an e-card wouldn't hurt either.
Friendship is born at that moment
when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I
was the only one."
-C.S.
Lewis
A friend
is one before whom I may think aloud.
-Ralph Waldo
Emerson
This is
my beloved and this is my friend.
-Song of
Solomon
-Julie
P.S. Don't forget to shop
the Back to Homeschool Sale in the TOS Store! Get that friend
something!
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Schoolhouse Spotlight
Dena Wood, Schoolhouse Store Manager
 There are few things as
important as good friendships. Our friends support us, encourage us, comfort us and
even chastise us when necessary. This is as it should be. It
is important that we teach our children how to care for and
nurture their friendships. We can do this first and foremost
by example - letting them see the value we place on our close
relationships, and that those are godly relationships. We can
also talk to them about the values and expectations of
friendships. Miiko Gibson has a wonderful E-study for Mom's
& daughters called Being A Good Friend:
Some Principles to Grow By. She even offers printouts for making
the study into a keepsake
notebook
sure to be a lifelong treasure. For older children or a family
read-aloud, The White
Dove by Lamplighter publishing, is an inspiring
story of friendship and
sacrifice.
If you're looking for a way
to show a few of your friends how much you care, consider
making them some fun summer items from our brand new Patriotic Pattern
Pack or
pampering them with some All Natural Beeswax
Candle Tapers. They're sure to be thrilled. But I'm sure a heartfelt
note would be just as welcome a treat.
-Dena
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The Familyman
Todd Wilson, Familyman Ministries
Hey Mom,
This is going to be a
short one. I'm parked in a McDonald's parking lot at about a
30-degree angle and my laptop is about to slide off the table.
I know the "girls" will have gobs of advice for growing and
nurturing friendships: it will probably have a lot to do with
tea parties, scrapbooking, and "feelings."
My only thought about
friends is - make your husband your best friend. Don't let any
other girl friendship displace your man from being number one.
It's easy to let happen, because "he" doesn't think, feel, or
understand like a woman.
I know my wife will
sometimes say, "I'll call my sister, she'll understand."
When she does, I can't
help feeling a little like second-rate goods. I know other
husbands feel that way too. A friend of my wife's announced
her pregnancy to my wife before she told her own husband. I
know he wouldn't have screamed and sounded as excited as my
wife did; but that's beside the point.
So, Mom, don't let
another friendship overshadow your friendship with your
husband. Here's a little way to tell if one already has: ask
your husband who he thinks you'd rather talk to and be with
--- him or "her."
If he says "her," do
whatever it takes to show him he's number one on your
friendship list.
Gotta go, I'm getting
parking lot sick.
Be
Real,
Todd |
 Mercy in the Morning
Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor
There was a time in my
life where I had no other friend (or family for that matter)
than my dear husband. That was a lonely time until I came to
know a friend "who sticks closer than a brother." Jesus Christ
became a friend I could rely on when no friends were around. I
learned to gain counsel only from Him. I learned what it meant
to have fellowship with Him in His sufferings. His humanity of
suffering met my place of human pain and we fellowshipped
there. A sweet communion that cannot be duplicated by any
human friendship.
I have received letters from
homeschool moms who have no friends or family nearby and
struggle with discouragement. I encourage them that there is
no better companion than the Almighty God. There is no one who
understands like the God of all Comfort who knew loneliness
more so than any of us ever could. And, that they can be a
"friend of God" which is truly a high
calling.
I am now in a place
where I have like-minded homeschool mom friends and the
camaraderie and encouragement are priceless and I am so
thankful for them all. The way I found some of these ladies
was at homeschool support groups at church or in the
community. If there isn't one nearby, consider starting one
yourself! You may be just the friend someone else needs!
First, be a friend of
God. He just may want to take this time to draw you in close
to Himself so that you know what a true friend is. Then pray
for His leading in forming friendships. He knows what is best
for you.
Your
friend,
- Deborah
P.S. Here at
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, we want to be your
friend. We are here to support and encourage you. If you ever
need anything, let us know. Oh yes, and many moms have found
friendship and support through our blog site, HomeschoolBlogger.com - you just might find
a like-minded friend right online!
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Help Wanted
The Old Schoolhouse is looking
for qualified sales professionals with
previous selling experience to work from
home selling advertising space in our
magazine and on our
websites. This is an independent contractor
position paying commission only.
A complete home office set up is necessary
including an Internet-ready computer running Windows XP or
equivalent, MS Office, and Excel, along with a functioning
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plan is also a MUST!
Professional demeanor, excellent
communication skills (written and oral) and a high level of
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