EXPO: Online Homeschool Conference

Special topics on high school and home businesses. Homeschool conference via web only $19.95. From the Old Schoolhouse magazine
http://www.schoolhouseexpo.com/

Letter from HSLDA: Waiting

We love February. Being the shortest and often coldest month, we don’t regret that it flies by if it brings us closer to warmer weather. February does not make you wait ... but as you homeschool your teens there may be circumstances and people that cause you to wait. What are you waiting for?

• A chance to read the last chapter of a book you began over a year ago?
• An end to your homeschooling days? (On some days it gives new meaning to “come quickly, Lord Jesus,” doesn’t it? )
• A wandering teen to get on the right path or simply to show some motivation?
• A spouse to be more involved in what goes on at home?
• A result from a medical test?
• An answer to a “stale” prayer that your heart thinks has gone unnoticed?

Our goal this month is to help you gain a new perspective on waiting that will bless your homeschooling days. With help from Andrew Murray’s classic book, Waiting on God, let’s peer into the waiting room.

Reasons for Waiting

Most of us don’t wait by choice—it’s usually forced upon us. No one picks the longest line to stand in. When waiting, we may be frustrated by our lack of control in the situation. But waiting does have a purpose. It shifts the focus off of us and places it on the Lord. Whether you are waiting for the finances to improve, the volunteer to step up to coordinate the science fair this year, or your teen to stop resisting your every request, concentrating on the Lord and not on the situation will re-center your focus.
There are reasons for waiting that you may not initially notice. Can it be you need to hear from the Lord first about the wisdom of taking on a new responsibility? It could be that by waiting, you’ll be led to see that your proposed plan doesn’t mesh well with your current energy level, your family’s needs, or your teen’s best interests.
But maybe it’s the timing that’s not right. Perhaps the delay in enrolling your teen in a dual enrollment math course will give you a chance to better equip him in the skills he’ll need when he eventually can register for the class. Instead of fretting about waiting for your teen to excel in math, see this as direction from the Lord that a math-related field may not be in your child’s future! Waiting can be used to redefine goals and to realign your plans with God’s plans.
When you wait, concentrate on Who God is and what He can do. God is faithful, He is powerful, He is never late, He knows all, and most of all, He loves both you and your teen.

“Bow quietly before God, just to remember and realize who He is, how near He is, how certainly He can and will help. Just be still before Him, and allow His Holy Spirit to waken and stir in your soul the childlike disposition of absolute dependence and confident expectation.”

(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 24)

It will be worth the wait!

Responses to Waiting

What is your usual response to waiting? Is it anger, impatience, worry, wailing, or bitterness?

“If we truly set ourselves to wait upon God, we will find that it is with Him we are impatient, because He does not at once, or as soon as would wish, do our bidding.”

(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 51)

Yikes! In black and white, our sinful responses to waiting are pretty ugly, aren’t they? But, with the Lord’s grace, we can put off these discouraging reactions, and learn instead to reflect, pause, and take a breather while asking the Lord to show us what we need to understand or appreciate about our present circumstances.
When we do this, we grow, mature, and change. In the process, we model a humble example for our teens. We show them that waiting for the college admissions letter to arrive, the job interview to be scheduled, or the right time for a relationship to blossom can be marked by hope and calm expectation rather than by dread, disappointment, or annoyance. Seeing the wait as an opportunity to fine tune your teen’s and your character may redirect you to wait peacefully while trusting in the sovereignty and perfect ways of the Lord.

Benefits of Waiting

What can we gain by learning how to wait? Here are some gems that will be ours:
Patience: We’ll have a new ability to endure delays without becoming provoked or upset, but by staying calm. A patient parent reflects a patient Lord Who is at work behind the scenes.

“Give God His glory by resting in Him, by trusting Him fully, by waiting patiently for Him. This patience honors Him greatly. It leaves Him, as God on the throne, to do His work. It yields self wholly into His hands. It lets God be God.”

(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 53)

Endurance: We’ll have staying power to bear pain, hardship, or heartache for the long haul. Endurance forges strong fortitude and resilience that will be noticed by your teens.

“Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father ... who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

Colossians 1:11,12

Readiness: We’ll be better prepared to face circumstances in the future that cause us to wait. The next time you must wait, be reminded of the past mercies of the Lord and how He equipped you. Hopefully, in upcoming circumstances you'll hold your fire and hold your horses!
And,
Hope: A confident expectation and trust in the Lord. Our circumstances and other people may not be trustworthy, but our Lord is!

“Let every exercise of waiting, let our whole habit of waiting on God, be pervaded by abounding hope—a hope as bright and boundless as God’s mercy.”

(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 49)

How Long Will You Wait?

Based on the phone calls we receive from HSLDA members, we know that some of you are experiencing great trial and hardship. You’ve been waiting a long time and there’s no end in sight. How long will you wait?

“What the heart is full of, occupies it, even when the thoughts are otherwise engaged. ... When the heart has learned how entirely powerless it is for one moment to keep itself or bring forth any good, when it has learned how surely and truly God will keep it, when it has, in despair of itself, accepted God’s promise to do for it the impossible, it learns to rest in God. In the midst of occupations and temptations, it can wait continually.”

(Waiting on God by Andrew Murray, page 128)

Continually ... that’s a long time! God will give you the power to wait continually. Check it out—just when the waiting is over in one area, another area of waiting will creep up on you. Until eternity, there will always be something or someone that keeps you waiting. View the wait as purposeful, positive, and planned by the Almighty who orders all things to be. Remember that your wait is never in vain.
One last word from Murray:

“He stirs up your nest. He disappoints your hopes. He brings down your confidence. He makes you fear and tremble, as all your strength fails, and you feel utterly weary and helpless. And all the while He’s spreading His strong wings for you to rest your weakness on, and offering His everlasting Creator-strength to work in you. And all He asks is that you sink down in your weariness and wait on Him.”

(Waiting on God by Andrew Murray, page 93)

Jacob waited and worked the first seven years for Rachel, “but they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her” (Genesis 29:20). You can express your love for the Lord by worshipping and praising Him while you wait.

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation.”

Psalm 62:5,6

Next month, join us as we change gears and discuss incorporating job shadowing into your high school at home plans.
Trusting that the Lord blesses you with a new outlook on waiting as you homeschool your teens,
Becky Cooke and Diane Kummer
HSLDA High School Coordinators

Baseball for Young Boys

Denver Eagles is interested in organizing a 7-9 years old baseball team to play in the JCJBL league.

We would like to identify any interest within the home school community. The team needs approximately 10-13 players.

Practice (location will be determined at a later date), will consist of 2 times a week with games scheduled in the Jeffco area.

Cost estimated at $250.00 to $300.00 per player.

Please if you are interested please call or email the following people:

Ernie Gilbert: (303)674-2641
Steve Wichael (303)886-1692

or email us at info@denvereagles.org

We need response by Feb. 14th .

 

Cultural Communication for Students

Dear Friends,

The local chapter of the Institute for Cultural Communicators, Chapter SEEK is hosting an ICC Forensics Society speech and debate tournament On February 11-12 in Colorado Springs.  I invite you to come meet these Christian young people who are training to become authentic cultural communicators and help them by evaluating one or two speech or debate rounds for us.  All the details are in the letter below from our judge coordinator.  It would help us plan if you are able to judge to visit the link below and register to let us know when you will be coming.  If you are a support group leader, would you please consider forwarding this invitation to your group? 

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for your help.  I look forward to seeing you!
~Karri Siebert
sponsor, Chapter SEEK
ICC Mountain Area Coordinator
719-649-8202
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (New King James Version--emphasis mine)
Dear Friends,
            The mission of the Institute for Cultural Communicators (ICC) is to shape culture through authentic communication and equip Christian students with both the competence and character they need to influence culture for Christ. [instituteforculturalcommunicators.org]
The young speakers in the local chapters of ICC believe they can influence our community for Christ now – but they need your help.  We rely on our community judge/evaluators for improvement, growth and encouragement. Community judge/evaluators are needed Friday February 11for Public Forum Debate and Saturday February 12 for both debate and various speech events at Front Range Alliance Church in Colorado Springs.  Your time commitment is two (2) hours which includes a short judge training session – no experience is necessary.  Please indicate your choice(s) below or fill out the form online at: registration.
Last Name, First Name--__________________________________________________________
Email--            ________________________________Phone number --__________________________
Person who invited you to judge--__________________________________________________
 
Friday Feb 11, 2011
2:30pm-4:00pm Public Forum Debate Round 1 (___)
3:30pm-5:00pm Public Forum Debate Round 2(___)
4:30pm-6:00pm Public Forum Debate Round 3(___)
5:30pm-7:00pm Public Forum Debate Round 4(___)
 
Saturday, February 12, 2011
8:30am – 10:00am Speech Round 1A (___)
9:45 am –11:15am Speech Round 1B (___)
12:00noon – 1:30pm Public Forum Debate Round 5(___)
1:00pm – 2:30pm Speech Round 2A (___)
2:15pm – 3:45pm Speech Round 2B (___)
4:00 pm– 5:30pm Speech Round 3A (___)
6:00 – 7:00 Closing Program: ICC Showcase and Young Speakers Guild induction ceremony. Please join us. Light Refreshments will be served.
 
Yours for the future,
Anita Schlichting
Judge coordinator amschlichting@comcast.net 

Girls High School Soccer

We have had an interest in building a 14-18 years old girls spring soccer team. We are looking for new players and experienced players. 

The team will practice 2 -3 times per week and play two games per week during conference season. Our competitors are other Christian schools on the Front Range.

If interested, please send us email at info@denvereagles.org by January 31, 2011 or register online.

Registration costs would be approximately $ 250 and doesn't include any optional post season tournament travel.

Contact
Steve Wichael
info@denvereagles.org

Math Tutoring?

I am a fellow homeschool mom and after much prayer and urging, have decided to offer math tutoring to our homeschool community.

Through a combination of personalized guided practice, manipulatives, mental math, and an emphasis on math games, my goal is to foster an appreciation and deeper understanding of mathematics for your child. As you know, a strong foundation in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is essential to higher-level math success.

I am a C.P.A. with a love for math and oddly enough, I truly enjoy teaching math to children! I would like to focus on students Pre-K through middle school but know of a wonderful tutor available for higher-level math students.

If you are interested in math enrichment for your child, please send me an email at karin@axiomcorporation.com or give me a call at (303) 948-2697.

In Christ,

Karin Palazzo

Spring Baseball Registration Ending Soon

OUR MISSION:  To pro-actively develop the mental, physical and spiritual character of homeschooled Christian youth in a dynamic sports environment through individual athletic skills development, team competition, and Biblical role modeling.


REGISTER NOW
for
Spring Competitive High School Baseball


Denver Eagles is looking for 14 - 18 years old interested in playing high school level baseball programs.  Experienced players who love the game of baseball and would like to play with other like-minded Christian players and coaches are encouraged to join!
                     
Our baseball program requires the players have flexibility in practice/game times.
The Spring season starts late February and usually ends in middle of May. We typically play Denver area high school JV teams.  We plan to travel to Florida for the Home School World Series.  Go to www.hwsa.net for details.


The registration fee will be $375.00 with fund raisers to help offset cost of fields, umpires, uniforms and tournament expenses.

We will have tryouts if we have more than 20 players register.

We will have more information regarding specific game and practice schedules/locations later.

Please register online at our website (www.denvereagles.org) or you can email us to request more information at:  info@denvereagles.org.  Please feel free to contact Coach Steve Wichael at (303) 886-1692 with any questions.



 Contact
Steve Wichael
info@denvereagles.org

Home School Classifieds

Here is a great place to advertise your homeschool textbooks For Sale or Want To Buy or Curriculum.
www.FreeHomeSchoolClassifieds.com

FreeHomeSchoolClassifieds is here to help Homeschoolers buy and sell books, curriculum and supplies.
As homeschool parents we experienced the frustration of trying to sell our daughters used textbooks.
So we designed a website just for Homeschoolers where it is easy to search for the books you are looking for.

Landry Academy: Fall 2011

Online Classes
Fall 2011 - Spring 2012 School Year
Current Early Registration Discount Available Through January 11, 2011
Please Note: Classes Have Limited Space and are Available on a First-Come-First-Served Basis

Advantages of Taking our Online Classes . . .                         Online Class Screenshots

• Students are guided in their study and held accountable to complete the work, yet are led toward being independent learners and critical thinkers
.
• Students are taught by Christians who have expertise in their fields. Our online classes give families access to teachers who have expertise on a wide variety of topics.
  
• Teachers do all the instruction and testing, and are always available to students via email and telephone for questions, etc.
• Parents and students have access to student's grades online
.
• You get an "official grade report" at the end of the semester or year that serves as an independent evaluation of your student's performance
• For some colleges and universities, this validates homeschool grades.
• Students can conveniently attend weekly live classes or the class recording that's available to them 24/7 on the class web page.
  
• Students learn to meet deadlines on a weekly basis - a valuable skill as they move toward the college years.
  
• And last but not least, students love our classes!

Class Numbering

Classes numbered in the "100's" are targeted toward 4th - 6th graders, "200's" toward 7th - 9th graders, and "300's" toward 9th - 12th graders. However, these are only guidelines. Parents should feel free to use their judgment as to class levels for their children. The class number sequence (example: 201, 202, 203..) usually does NOT indicate a required sequence or that "203" is a higher level class than "201" . Where there are prerequisites, it's indicated.

Class Sections

More than one section may be offered for some classes. For example..
section 1; Thursdays at 10 am
section 2: Mondays at 2 pm
When registering, you can choose and register for the section of the class that best fits your schedule.

Class Attendance

Students are encouraged to attend live classes when possible, but are not required to attend live classes. If they miss a live class, recordings of each class are available on the student's class web page, and they are still responsible for assignments given in those classes. They can access class recordings 24/7 at their convenience.

Textbooks and other Class Materials

Students are responsible for obtaining textbooks and other materials that may be required for the class. Textbooks may be purchased used at a variety of sites online. Other materials required for classes are typically minimal, if any are required at all. An exception to that may be science classes which may require lab materials.

Class Tuition & Payment Options

Tuition for online classes covers online instruction, testing, assignments, feedback, and grade reporting for the stated period, one or two semesters. Students are responsible for obtaining textbooks and other materials that may be required for the class. Textbooks may be purchased used at a variety of sites online. Other materials required for classes are typically minimal, if any are required at all. An exception to that may be science classes which may require lab materials.

Tuition Rates with Current Early Registration Discount Good Through January 11, 2011..

One Semester Class: $240 (full rate is $320 minus current 25% discount = $240)
Two Semester Class: $480 (full rate is $640 minus current 25% discount = $480)

There are Two Options for Payment..

1) Online with a credit or debit card (installment payments not available)  
2) Mail a check - installment payments are available with this payment option. Please click here for details on installment payments by check.

Please Click Here to Read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)