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Homeschool Ideas & Tips >
Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter Dec. 2003
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*** Hello from Charmaine ***
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Dearest Reader,
I’m sending out this December Newsletter several weeks
early because I wanted to make sure that you received the
ideas and tips in plenty of time to use them. This month I
am featuring an article by Tina Farewell of Lifetime Books
and Gifts. I know you are really going to enjoy her ideas,
tips and resources for starting an Advent tradition or
adding some new books or devotionals to your current Advent
celebration. All of the books that Tina reviews (plus
much, much more) are available at the Lifetime Book and
Gift website:
www.LifetimeBooksandGifts.com
Have a wonderful God-filled holiday season with your
family, neighbors and friends!
Blessings on your day,
Charmaine
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In this issue:
1. Ideas: Advent Celebration by Tina Farewell
2. Tips: How to make and use an Advent Wreath
3. What's New?
4. Fr*ee Telegroup!
5. About Charmaine
6. Testimony
7. Quote of the Month
8. The Small Print
9. In Our Next Issue
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*** Ideas ***
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Bob and Tina Farewell have home educated since 1983 and own
Lifetime Books and Gifts, a supplier of Living Books to
home educators.
The following article is excerpted with permission from
Tina Farewell’s FREE e-newsletter. To subscribe, visit
www.LifetimeBooksandGifts.com and click on LIFETIME
TREASURES. Copyright 2003.
~~ Celebrating the Advent Season ~~
Though you may not have heard of the Advent season, it is a
special holiday season that most traditional and liturgical
churches celebrate in order to focus on the profound
meaning of Christmas.
Believe me, the celebration of Advent is much deeper than
the popular Advent calendar with its 25 cute little windows
to open! Advent is a rich and meaningful time-making
Christmas very, very special!!
~~ What is Advent? ~~
Advent is the special season that comes just before
Christmas. The word Advent comes to us from the Latin word
"adventus" which means "coming." Advent is a beautiful and
worshipful way of preparing our hearts and minds for the
celebration of the first coming or birth of our Lord Jesus
Christ and a time of preparation as we look forward to His
Second Coming.
Celebrating Advent helps our family focus on Christ's
coming and not on material gifts. We gather every evening
to read from our chosen devotional book for the season.
Then we move to the dining room where our Advent wreath is
displayed on the buffet with a lovely mirror in the
background - perfect for reflecting shining candles and
smiling faces.
Bob chooses one of our excited children to light the
candles. Then we sing a favorite chorus about Jesus being
the Light of the world, each of us prays aloud, and we sing
again as the candles are extinguished. Then we're off to
bed! It is very short and simple, but truly anticipated and
extremely meaningful.
The lighting of the candles on the Advent wreath begins on
the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which is often the
Sunday following Thanksgiving. This year Advent begins on
Friday, November 28, 2003.
~~ Advent Wreath and Candles ~~
The Advent wreath is traditionally used to celebrate this
wonderful season. Though traditions may differ, a new
purple candle is lit during the first three weeks of
Advent, and on the fourth week, the pink candle is lit. The
white candle is lit on Christmas Eve.
We adorn our wreath with greens and Brazilian pepper (which
is the only thing that is red and green in Central Florida
at this time of the year!) It may also be left unadorned,
but will still be lovely.
Though you can purchase Advent wreaths, it is very simple
to make your own. Simply place four candles in a circle and
put one candle in the center of the circle. Some families
use tapers, others use votive candles.
You can use the traditional candle colors of purple, pink,
and white, or you can create a family tradition in the way
the Holy Spirit leads you! One family I know of uses four
white candles, symbolizing purity, set around a large red
and white striped candle, symbolizing the blood of Jesus
and His stripes for our healing.
~~ WHY READ BIBLICAL HISTORICAL FICTION? ~~
Throughout the Advent season our family reads many
wonderful books - one Advent devotional book, many favorite
picture books, and one longer read aloud book. Reading
aloud adds a delightful and important element to our
family's "museum of memories," as Edith Schaeffer would
say.
Because our society today is so far removed from the
culture of the Jesus' time, Biblical historical fiction is
an incredible learning tool for adults and children, and is
much more enjoyable than dry academic textbooks. This genre
helps the sometimes overly familiar Bible stories come to
life for us through the eyes and pen of an author who
vividly portrays the people, background, culture, events,
and setting of the Bible. Excellent Biblical historical
fiction can truly change our lives!
~~ OUR FAVORITE ADVENT BOOKS ~~
Although there are many books available for celebrating
Advent, our family favorites are three by Arnold Ytreeide:
Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage, and Tabitha’s
Travels. The plots are fascinating and filled with rich
spiritual insights.
Ytreeide's books are not namby-pamby sweet portrayals of
life in Bethlehem. Instead they are narrations of the
tensions of grim and turbulent times under Roman
occupation-making the birth of Messiah such an answer to
prayer! However, because of the adventure and detail in
these books, some families of young children find it best
to read them in the morning.
Jotham’s Journey begins when ten-year-old Jotham runs
"away from his father's tents in a moment of anger. As he
journeys through Palestine in search of his nomadic home,
Jotham is helped by a fool, a priest, a zealot and a wise
man. Chased by a gang of thieves, thrown from one `foster
parent" to another, Jotham slowly discovers the miracle of
the first Christmas, and some miraculous things about his
own life and his own family..." A fantastic book!
Bartholomew’s Passage: A Family Story for Advent is the
next book in this spellbinding series. "Follow Bartholomew
as Roman soldiers destroy his village and disperse his
family, through his enslavement to a tyrannical master and
his escape with his new friend Nathan [to Qumran-remember
Nathan?], to his reunion with his family and a wonderful
climax in Bethlehem. Along the way Bartholomew makes a new
pal"- Jotham!!
If you disagree with the devotional section about lying on
page 84, simply revise it for your family. We loved the
book and couldn't wait to read every night!
Tabitha’s Travels is the newest and final book of the
Ytreeide Advent trilogy. "Curious, competent, and
courageous Tabitha is the daughter of Eliakim, a shepherd
who is taking his family on caravan to his birthplace.
Along the way she meets and becomes friends with Jotham and
Bartholomew, watches as Romans take her father prisoner,
spends time with Zechariah and Elizabeth, rescues her
father, helps Mary and Joseph just before Christ's birth,
and ends her travels with the wonderful climax at the
stable in Bethlehem." Obviously Tabitha is a strong
character who will open a lot of family discussion!
~~ More Fabulous Advent Devotionals ~~
Many years before the Ytreeide books were available, we
discovered Wanda Sanseri's poignant book, Advent Foretold:
A December Devotional for All Ages. It is a fabulous
resource for the whole family, and especially helpful to
those who think the adventurous story in the Ytreeide books
may be either too young for them or for those who find the
Ytreeide books too graphic or violent for their young
children.
Advent Foretold features daily Bible readings centered on
the Messiah's coming. Old Testament prophecies regarding
the birth of Christ are the focus for December 1-16, while
the readings for December 17-31 are from the New Testament
and reveal the precise fulfillment of each prophecy!
If you are a fan of Handel's Messiah, you are sure to
treasure the beautiful Handel’s Messiah Family Advent
Reader by Donna Payne and Fran Lenzo. The devotional
readings in this gorgeous book feature the Scripture texts
Handel used to create Messiah.
It is filled with fascinating, heartwarming stories that
highlight facts behind many Christmas symbols, fine art,
pertinent photographs such as the original musical score
and the organ keyboard Handel gave to a hospital chapel.
The "Read More About It" section in the back of the book
contains even more details, meanings, Bible readings, and
ways to dig deeper for wisdom and understanding pertaining
to each devotion. A CD is included in the book so you can
play the music to go along with the devotion!
The Advent Book by Jack and Kathy Stockman is perfect for
families with very young children, though the whole family
will enjoy it. It is beautifully designed and illustrated.
It is an oversized board book of 25 pages; each page has a
door that opens, revealing an appropriate Scripture and
picture-all part of the Christmas story. The authors
"suggest that each night, before opening a new door, you
reread the text under all the preceding doors. This
practice gives the story continuity and encourages
memorization."
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*** Tips ***
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Here are some links to websites that will show exactly how
to create your own Advent wreath and give you lots of other
fun ideas & activities for the Advent Season.
Annie’s Advent Link Page ( lots of fun craft ideas & more
for Advent)
http://www.annieshomepage.com/adventlinks.html
Step-by-step instructions & pictures for making an Advent
wreath:
http://www.herbaltreas.com/AdventWreathMakingPictures.html
How to make and use an Advent wreath:
http://www.kencollins.com/question-10.htm
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*** What's New? ***
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The Holidays can be a time of great stress for Mom.
There's SO much to get done and the planning can be
overwhelming. A great stress reliever is a good plan that
includes what's really important and eliminates what is
not.
To help you get organized and ready for the holidays, I am
offering a special on coaching sessions. Get 3 coaching
sessions for the price of one! (a $150.00 value for
$50.00!)
What can you accomplish with these coaching sessions?
*Discover what holiday events and traditions are really
important to you and your family.
*Weed out the unnecessary 'clutter' of the holiday season
and make room for what really matters to YOU.
*Set goals and make specific plans to meet them
(accountability provided if you want it!)
Email me to set up your three coaching sessions for the
price of one. You'll be really glad you did!
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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***Fr*ee Telegroup!***
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Please join us for:
Fr*ee Homeschool Moms Support Telegroup:
Join us to discuss your homeschooling challenges, ask
question*s, give and get support and encouragement from
other like-minded homeschooling moms.
This month we will not meet on the first Tues. of the
month. (because that’s my daughter’s 16 birthday and we’ll
be celebrating that night!) However, we will meet on the
2nd Tues. We will meet by telephone for a 45 minute session
on Tues., Dec. 9 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time (7:00 p.m. CT,
6:00 p.m. MT, 5:00 p.m. PT)
If you've not been on a conference call, the idea may seem
a little strange and intimidating. Don't let it scare you!
I have taken many classes and been involved in several
tele-groups and it's actually easy and quite fun and you
can even show up in your 'jammies!' Join us!
You must register for this fr*ee telegroup. Please email
me with your request to register at:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
I will then email you back with all necessary information.
The only cost to you will be the long distance charges for
the call.
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*** About Charmaine ***
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Charmaine Wistad has homeschooled her own two children
since birth. As they work through their 12th year of
homeschooling, Charmaine is currently turning her attention
to helping other homeschool moms.
Through personal coaching, Charmaine helps homeschooling
moms get organized and experience the
peace and pleasure of a smoothly run home.
You are invited to try a complimentary no-obligation
telephone coaching session. You'll be pleasantly surprised
at how much can be accomplished in just one session!
Simply send an email to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com and ask for a
Fr*ee Sample Coaching Session.
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*** Testimony ***
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Dear Charmaine,
Thank you for your service and work on my behalf. The Lord
is so faithful to meet us and supply our every need. He
knew I needed you and I am thankful for you and the way you
helped me find clarity in the midst of confusion.
Blessings,
Susan
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*** Quote of the Month ***
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“I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to
keep looking upward.”
- Charlotte Bronte -
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***The Small Print ***
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If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to
everyone you know!!! Thanks!
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Honoring Your Privacy:
Your privacy is completely and utterly protected.
I will not sell or give away your name or email. You have
my word on it!
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please send an email with the word 'unsubscribe'
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Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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I would love to hear from you! But please do not reply to
this newsletter. It is sent out automatically and I will
not receive your reply. Instead, send your comments and
ideas for future issues to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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Homeschooling Ideas and Tips Copyright 2003,
Victory Coaching
www.victorycoaching.citymax.com
All rights in all media reserved.
The content of Homeschooling Ideas and Tips
may be forwarded in full without special permission
provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full
attribution and copyright notice are given. For other
purposes, please contact
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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*** In Our Next Issue ***
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Dealing with boredom.
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