Why in the world did the Pilgrims give thanks?

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The Pilgrims faced tragedy in their first year at Plymouth.

They landed at Plymouth Rock on December 16 – much too late to plant or prepare for winter. Without enough food or protection from the cold, families watched their loved ones suffer. In December, 6 of the 102 pilgrims died. In January, 8 more passed. In February, 17 more people died. In March, 13 passed away. At one point, only 7 people were well enough to care for everyone else who was sick. By spring, just over half of the original pilgrims remained.

Why then, did they give thanks? Would I have thanked the Lord in similar circumstances?

I believe that even as the Pilgrims mourned, they must have looked for blessings. When they met Squanto, who taught them to plant and gather new food, they recognized his help as a gift. When their crop produced well, they thanked God and rejoiced.

A harvested field
In the midst of their painful losses, they chose to give thanks for God's provision. And thus, the first Thanksgiving.

I'm currently reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Like many other Sonlighters, I've taken the author's suggestion to start my own gratitude journal. Now every morning in my quiet time, I spend a few minutes recording things I'm thankful for.

And I agree with Voskamp – I think giving thanks builds joy. The Pilgrims could have been crushed under the weight of their loss, but they choose to mourn and give thanks at the same time.

Jesus Christ, who left the splendor of heaven to live as a man, chose to give thanks throughout his whole earthly life. Before he fed the five thousand, he gave thanks. Before he raised Lazarus from the dead, he gave thanks. As he prepared to face the cross and carry the world's sin, Jesus broke bread and gave thanks.

Jesus saw the gifts in his life as grace and in turn he thanked his Father. I wonder if this posture of gratitude helped build the joy in Jesus' life. Voskamp would say it did. She writes, "eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word for grace, charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning joy."

One thing is certain – giving thanks opens our eyes to see the gifts God continually gives. If you don't keep a gratitude journal, consider whether you'd like to start one. From the very simple (e.g., warm cookies from the oven) to the more profound (e.g., the gift of children in the house) recording these gifts helps put me in the proper posture of gratitude before God. And, yes, I believe that posture builds great joy in my life.

Many blessings to you in this season of thanksgiving!
Sarita

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How to Teach a Love of Learning

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These Sonlight children love to learn!

Sonlight seeks to promote a lifelong love of learning, but what helps children love to learn and what can hinder that outlook? Let's look at some possible answers.

When I asked my wife about this topic, her first response was, "Parental attitude." In observing the behavior of our four homeschooled children, parental attitude really does make a strong impression, either pro or con depending on the attitude we exhibit as parents.

For example, did we have a bad experience with math when we were children? If we vocalize a negative attitude, our kids may inherit our bad attitude about math. If, however, we express positive experiences about learning, children will notice.

Siblings, too, can influence one another, pro and con, when it comes to whether or not a love of learning is cultivated or smothered. As parents, we need to keep an eye on sibling interactions and, where we can, encourage a love of learning.

Access to positive learning tools can also stimulate a love of learning. This means, for starters, maintaining a good library of resources in your home. Supplemental videos, too, can help, so long as they are engaging and of good quality.  Maintaining a learning home is helpful, too. If kids don't have access to stimulating educational tools or are in an environment that is not conducive to learning, developing a love of learning will be more challenging.

Knowing the learning styles of children can also help parents better shape the homeschooling experience, so that a love of learning is promoted rather than stifled. Children are unique individuals, so we can't expect them all to learn or thrive in the same ways, but we can seek to understand how each child learns best and cater to those strengths whenever possible.

Great, engaging literature also stimulates a love of learning. When children connect with characters in a story, they can't wait to read more about what happens. If a story is worthwhile when it comes to its message, children can develop a love of reading, which in turn contributes to a love of learning. Conversely, bad literature can hinder a love of learning. Children may begin to think that books are "boring" and have nothing to offer. That's why Sonlight spends a lot of time selecting quality, engaging literature.

There are many other points we could add that can either help or hinder a love of learning. What do you think helps children develop a love of learning? What do you think hinders it?

Robert Velarde
Author/Educator/Philosopher

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Why Core Club Benefits?

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If you've poked around Sonlight's website, you've probably read the Sonlighters Club Membership Details and Discounts. We got into a discussion about them again this morning, so I thought I'd share a few of the things that grabbed me. We think that:

  • You should love homeschooling. That's one reason why we discount our packages so much! Over the years, we have seen again and again that those who buy complete homeschool curriculum packages are far happier with their school year than those who just purchase bits and pieces. We want you to love your homeschooling experience, so if saving you money on packages will help, we'll do that!
  • You should get the right materials for your family. We say it again and again: Sonlight is NOT for everyone. You should never feel stuck with a purchase that isn't working for your family. That's why we have an unrivaled 1-year Love to Learn Guarantee.
  • You should have support and community. We always seek to give you great support, but sometimes the best help--when you're in the middle of the school year--comes from fellow homeschoolers. That's one reason why our Sonlight Homeschool Advisors are all Sonlight moms. But you can also find fantastic advice, uplifting encouragement, and brilliant ideas on the Sonlight Forums.
  • You should be able to get the latest and greatest. I don't know how many industries do this, but it's certainly true with software. Adobe lets you upgrade Photoshop for a fraction of the cost. Window 8 just launched and the update is $40. Apple does a similar thing. And we here at Sonlight give you a huge "repurchase discount" on your Instructor's Guide. We are constantly working to update our curriculum. So, if you're going to reuse your program from a few years ago, we want to make sure you have the best. You can always get the latest IG for half off!
  • You'll like working with us. That's why we give you discounts beyond just your first purchase. We want you to be able to come back and save money all year long... whether it's for an elective you decided to add or a great gift.

We designed Sonlight's Club Benefits to help you get the most out of your school year. And I hope that, thus far, your year has been absolutely fantastic!

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

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Discover the Joy of Scripture ...and find other great gifts!

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Sonlight's Christmas sale started today. I know, I know: WAY too early to be talking Christmas. I agree! But it's always a great time to talk about Scripture. And that's a major focus in our sale this year.

You'll first notice the What's In the Bible? DVDs which provide a great introduction to the content of Scripture. I was personally surprised to see Rhett & Link singing songs about the Old Testament. These guys are pretty big on YouTube nowadays, so it's cool to see their creative energy in such an important project.

Speaking of songs, you have got to go take a few minutes to listen to the audio samples of the Seeds Family Worship CDs. I got to hear them for the first time yesterday and was thoroughly impressed. I also love that they include a second copy of the CD in your package so you can give one away! How cool it that?

And if you flip to page 88 of your Sonlight Catalog, you may notice a little blurb about BibleMesh. Well, here we are, seven months later, and it's finally available. Check it out. There's a free 30-day trial for your family to enjoy.

Sonlight Christmas Sale

Of course, there's a lot more. And I'm sure we'll be sharing more in the coming month. But for now, enjoy the Seeds audio samples, the 30-day BibleMesh trial, and the funny clip from the good people at What's in the Bible.

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

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When family disapproves...

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On a family field trip in 1992.

On a family field trip in 1992.

When I talk to homeschoolers one of the top three problems people mention to me is this one..."My family disapproves." It may be parents, or in-laws; a sister or pastor or even a next door neighbor, but chances are if you homeschool you have close family members or friends who disapprove of it. You can provide them with statistics and show them studies, but they still think you are ruining your children.

We had this problem too, and since I am done with homeschooling I thought I would give you a glimpse into how this played out in my family. Perhaps it will encourage you.

I come from a family of teachers. In fact I have a teaching degree but chose to stay home and have a large family (5 children) instead of working outside the home. My parents were opposed to homeschooling from the start---and that was in 1990. We treated homeschooling as the proverbial "Elephant in the Room" -- we didn't talk about it. My dad did teach the boys drafting and wood-shop, but my parents felt the kids needed a classroom setting in order to be able to go on to college, be successful,  etc. At that time we were in a church of about 3000 and we were the only home educators in our church.

I think it goes back to the premise I was raised with, that education is your salvation. It is how my dad pulled himself out of poverty, so it is no wonder they were skeptical.  In their eyes if we ruined our kids' education, we were in effect, destroying their chance of having any type of fulfilling life. Although Christians, they did not understand any of our convictions for educating our 5 children at home, and they didn't want to see us spoil our kids' chances for happiness and success.

After SEVEN YEARS of homeschooling, my dad came and sat at the table where I was checking over some math papers and said, "You know we never approved of you homeschooling the kids; (long pause) but I see what great kids you have, and the closeness they have, how well they are doing and want to tell you your sacrifice was worth it. You have done a great job and you made the right decision."

Sometimes you just have to live it out---you can't talk it out or prove it with statistics, you have to live it out, just like your faith---day by day. My dad died a few years later, and oh what a sweet memory that kitchen table conversation is for me. How glad I am that we stuck to it, that we lived it out and that we were kind and gentle with scoffers.

Hopefully you will be able to tell your own stories of acceptance in the years to come.

Take care,

Jill

As a note: We did not ruin our kids! They have all graduated from college, are self supporting, live in the same area  we do, and best of all, they like each other and us!

  • Cris has been married for 11 years, has a daughter and is an electrical engineer.
  • Dusty has been married for 11 years and is an accountant.
  • Chad has been married for 4 years, has two daughters and is a software engineer.
  • Kari served 1 year in Americorps and currently is an industrial safety manager.
  • Scotty works as an industrial technician.
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Are You Accepted as One of Them?

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Not four minutes ago I finished a fascinating conversation with a speaker from Encountering the World of Islam. The questioned he posed was this: Thinking of Christ becoming man so He could reach us, how are we reaching out to communities in such a way that we are accepted as belonging in that group? And after we accomplish that, what's the first thing we should tell them about the Gospel that would be good news to them?

If I could whistle, I would have. That's a question!

He smiled. Then he pushed it over the edge. "Now, what if I gave you a group? Say, homosexuals or women not remorseful of their abortion." Inwardly, I cringed. I could see a bunch of people taking umbrage with such a suggestion! Some would say, to some extent or another, that we should never be caught identifying with such people. To do so would be to approve of their actions. Others would take offense at the notion that such actions are wrong in the first place. How dare you imply that such things are somehow evil!

The difficulty is obvious, no? On one hand we can't justify taking on the form of a "sinner" to reach out to them. On the other, we are so bruised from bad encounters that we'd never accept someone so "hateful" into our midst.

And not that everyone loved Christ when He was here either. He was crucified, for crying out loud! But, still... He became sin for us so that we could be made righteous. This brings a new depth to the passage about becoming all things to all men for the sake of the Gospel.

Hudson Taylor--whom you meet in Core F--is a fantastic example of this. He, in many ways, revolutionized missions. And, perhaps, it's time for someone to step up and do it again.

If I were to take an initial stab at addressing this question in my own life, it would be this: Brittany and I reach out to high school/college aged kids. We watch movies with them and hang out. Brittany cooks with them and makes costumes. We go to their events and shows. We just try to be there with them. And when God opens the door, we share that when life is out of control, God is still there ready to redeem the horrible situations they can find themselves in. And we remind them, in word and deed, that they are loved.

How about you?

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

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Where is the true 4-Day program?

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I saw the following feedback on the Forums:

I REALLY love our Core this year, but I was disappointing that you chose to schedule Bible, Readers, and some LA five days a week. We broaden our children's education outside the home one day a week. Sonlight's past 4-day schedules dovetailed perfectly with this. Now, it's just frustrating. We want a 4-DAY program...not a 4-day with some extra fifth day requirements.

First, let me say: I love feedback like this! We absolutely want to hear from you. We take your suggestions very seriously and many of the updates we made to our Instructor's Guides this year were draw directly from your suggestions and requests.

Second, I totally get how this would be frustrating. I helped write the Bible notes and schedule in a few of the levels, so I'm more that a little bit to blame for this disappointment. I'm so sorry that our new schedule layout has created more work for you. That was not at all our intent.

So, third, let me lay out my take on all this and, hopefully, give you a little bit of encouragement:

  1. Reading/Language Arts has long been scheduled five days a week. That's not new this year. We built Sonlight this way because Dr. Ruth Beechick, who strongly influenced my mom's philosophy of Language Arts, urges you to have your children read a little every day. And I agree. I struggled with reading, so giving me many opportunities--and lots of time--to develop this skill is important. This year we kept that format, including the fun fifth-day LA assignments. If that does not work with your schedule, please feel free to skip those assignments. Do not feel any compulsion to cram it into the rest of your week just because it's scheduled in the Instructor's Guide.
  2. If we believe kids should do Reading and LA every day, I couldn't leave Bible off that list! But you can skip the fifth day Bible passages just like Reading if that works better for your family. I tried to keep the day five reading manageable and devotional without the extra study resources. Even if you're one of the many families on the go once a week, I do hope you take some time for Bible reading... even if it's not part of your homeschool schedule.
  3. Let me reiterate: We're here to serve you. Your feedback is invaluable and if not having a true, purely 4-Day program is making homeschooling harder for you... we want to know. I'm certainly not going to guarantee anything beyond our already stellar year-long Love to Learn Guarantee, but we will keep your insights and suggestions in mind as we work to improve our homeschool curriculum programs in the future.

I do like positive feedback too. You know, stuff like, "I love your updates! You guys rock! Best improvements ev'ah!" That kind of thing. Feel free to send those in too <smile>.

But, seriously: What can we do to improve your homeschool experience?

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

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