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        The Teaching Home E-Mail Newsletter #65
        Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement

        January 31, 2004  /  Cindy Short and Sue Welch, editors

Table of Contents
Love
     Who Are We To Love?
     What Is Love Like?
     How Can We Show Love?
     God's Love for Us
Recommended Resources
     Marvelous Math for Windows
     Laurelwood Publications
     Janome Sewing Machines

Greetings,

     In Titus 2:3-5 God instructs older women to be
"teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the
young women to love their husbands, to love their
children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind,
being subject to their own husbands, so that the word
of God will not be dishonored"
     In this issue we want to encourage you (as well as
ourselves) to love the Lord, our husbands, and our
children -- and suggest some specific and practical ways
we can show that love.
     Remember that we (and 20,000 other home-school
families!) would love to hear from you.  See information
on sending a contribution for "Family Sketch," "Notes from
Our Readers," or "Sunny Side Up" at
http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_58.cfm#a.

Cordially,
Pat, Sue, Heather, Holly, and Brian Welch
The Teaching Home is a 23-year-old, home-school family business.

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Who Are We To Love?

1.  The Lord our God
     "You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind"
(Matthew 22:37).

2.  Our Husbands / Wives
     "The young women to love their husbands . . ."
(Titus 2:4).
     "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also
loved the church and gave Himself up for her"
(Ephesians 5:25).

3.  Our Children
     "The young women . . . to love their children"
(Titus 2:4).

4.  Brothers and Sisters in Christ
     "A new commandment I give to you, that you love
one another, even as I have loved you, that you also
love one another.  By this all men will know that you
are My disciples, if you have love for one another"
(John 13:34, 35).

5.  Everyone
     "You shall love your neighbor as yourself"
(Matthew 22:39).

6.  The Needy and Unlovely
     "If a brother or sister is without clothing and in
need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in
peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not
give them what is necessary for their body, what use is
that?" (James 2:16).
     "If you love those who love you, what credit is
that to you? For even sinners love those who love them"
(Luke 6:32).
     Find someone that you would not naturally show
love to and do so for the Lord's sake.  He loved us
when we were unlovely to Him.

7.  Those Who Have Done Us Wrong
     "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do
good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27, 28).

     Laurelwood Publications
     New and Used Homeschool Curriculum!
          We sell, rent, (and yes) buy books.  We'll answer
     your questions too!  Limited Special:  Out-of-print
     Troll biographies, Indian legends and famous Americans.
     Call for titles!  540-554-2670, M-F, 1-5.
     Laurelwoodbooks@earthlink.net
     http://www.laurelwoodbooks.com

What Is Love Like?
     God tells us in I Corinthians 13:4-8 what love is
like.  Much can be said about all of these
characteristics of love, but here are just a few
thoughts to stimulate your further consideration.

1.  Love is patient.
     We are loving when we are willing to give up our
time in consideration of someone else or to explain a
math concept yet again.

2.  Love is kind.
     Sometimes we need to stop and evaluate whether it
is real kindness, or the easy way out, when we fail to
lovingly confront a problem with a loved one or
discipline our children.

3.  Love does not envy.
     We might not recognize it as such when we envy
another home schooler who apparently has it all
together when we feel that we do not.

4.  Love does not brag.
     It is sometimes a fine line between affirming the
benefits of home schooling and bragging.

5.  Love is not arrogant.
     This might be a temptation when we are standing up
for our rights or what we think is right.

6.  Love does not act unbecomingly.
     A test for this one might be: would we act and
talk the same way to our family if a friend were
present?

7.  Love does not seek his/her own.
     Selflessness is a true badge of love.  This is not
the world's way, but God will reward us for it.

8.  Love is not easily provoked.
     If we find ourselves taking everything the wrong
way, it's time to realize that we need love "to cover a
multitude of sins."

9.  Love thinks no evil.
     Give others the benefit of the doubt and don't
jump to the worst conclusion.  Don't hold a grudge or
remember past wrongs.

10.  Love does not rejoice in iniquity.
     The failure of public education should make us
sympathize with those harmed, not rejoice that the
schools are so bad.

11.  Love rejoices in the truth.
     We should be happy when justice is done.

12.  Love bears and endures all things.
     Yes, life is hard, but love enables us to bear
wrongs against us, even by those we love.

13.  Love believes and hopes all things.
     Oh, the many mothers who have never given up on
their families, but have prayed and believed, and hoped
that they would follow the Lord!

How can we attain these
wonderful characteristics of love?
     The Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-
control in the lives of those who abide in Him
(Galatians 5:22, 23).

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How Can We Show Love?
     "Little children, let us not love with word or with
tongue, but in deed and truth"  (1 John 3:18).
     Learn to show love in the following ways on
Valentine's Day and all year long.

1. Words
     Words are a very powerful way to express feelings.
     The more specific your words, the more meaningful
they are.  Tell your loved one how much you love him,
how important he is to you, and how much you appreciate
certain of his attributes or actions.
     Look for ways to express what is in your heart in
either spoken or written words on a regular basis.
We don't want to be like the husband who, when asked
by his wife why he didn't ever tell her he loved her,
answered, "You know I love you.  I told you that once.
when it changes, I'll let you know."
     God used words to tell us how much He loves us.

* Cards
     A traditional Valentine (or other occasion) card can be
bought or creatively hand made. Everyone loves this kind
of Valentine!
     Find detailed instructions to make very classy card
using a variety of materials and techniques at:
http://www.cardinspirations-usa.com/demo/index.htm

* Daily Words of Love
     Establish the habit of saying something kind to each
member of your family every day.  Maybe as you are
saying goodnight, you could thank them for specific
contributions they made to the family that day, commend
their acts of thoughtfulness and kindness, and tell
them something you appreciate about them.  This can
become a special time that your family will look
forward to each night and can make a difference in
attitudes and actions within the family.

* Praise to Others
     Let your loved ones hear you praising them to others.

* Letters
      E-mail has its place, but an "old-fashioned," hand-
written letter can be (and usually is) kept and cherished
for life.  Write to your husband, children, and loved
ones to tell them of your love; your hopes, aspirations,
and prayers for their future; etc.

* Telephone Calls
     Phone calls are very inexpensive now.  You can call
a friend across the country and have a 20-minute visit
for under $1.  Just a short time to catch up on news
and let your friend know that you are praying for her and
that you value your friendship can be a tremendous and
needed encouragement.

2. Time
     Time spent together focusing on your loved one,
his needs, and his interests is a genuine act of love.
Just being together is the best gift you can give to
those you love.
     In your family, this can be made a regular routine,
such as:
* Arrange to drop everything and spend the first 10-15
   minutes with your husband when he gets home or go on a
   walk together.  Do not monopolize the time with your
   concerns; listen to the report of his day.
* Schedule time alone, even 5-10 minutes, with each of
   your children each day.  One suggestion is to have a
   helper with you for each of your tasks such as cooking,
   laundry, errands, etc.  Use the time together to visit, talk
   about his interests, but especially to listen to your child.
* Invite a friend or family over for a meal or a
   neighbor in for a cup of tea.
* Visit a shut-in and ask him to share something about
   his life.

3. Gifts
     It really is the thought that counts -- your gifts
do not need to be large or expensive to be valued as a
tangible expression of your affection.
     Small purchased or handmade gifts that show your
thoughtfulness could include flowers, a pen or pencil,
a hair clip or piece of jewelry, a pot holder, a tool, a
wallet, an item to add to a favorite collection, framed
photo, bookmark, handkerchief, favorite food, etc.
     Gifts can remind your loved one of your love for
him as he sees and uses the gift.

4.  Acts of Service
     Serving the needs of a loved one really shows that
you care.
     Do one of your loved one's regular chores, run an
errand, do something he hasn't had time to do, sew on
a button or mend a garment, notice something he needs
and bring it to him, etc.

5.  Physical Touch
* Hugs, kisses, and other shows of affection are
   appropriate for family members.
* A hand shake or hug for a member of the same gender
   is appropriate for others.

Read More
     Read more in The Five Love Languages by Gary
Chapman.  See the accompanying e-mail or links below for:
* Your Gift of Love.  A gift book featuring selections from
Chapman's "Five Love Languages."  It is a great Valentine's
gift for only $4.
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?cbc-on-line+cyLrea+yourgiftoflove.html+tth013004fus
* The Five Love Languages of Children.
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?cbc-on-line+cyLrea+fivlovlanofc.html+tth013004fus
* The Five Love Languages of Teenagers.
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?cbc-on-line+cyLrea+fivlovlanoft1.html+tth013004fus
* The Love Languages of God.
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?cbc-on-line+cyLrea+lovlanofgodh.html+tth013004fus

Love Busters
     What is the opposite of showing love?  Dr. Willard
F. Harley is the author of His Needs, Her Needs.  He
identifies the most common "love busters" in marriage
(or any relationship) as selfish demands, disrespectful
judgments, angry outbursts, annoying habits, independent
behavior, and dishonesty.
     In Dr. Harley's Marriage Builders website, you
will be introduced to some of the best ways to overcome
marital conflicts and some of the quickest ways to
restore love.
http://www.marriagebuilders.com/index.html

Visit The Teaching Home's Website:
1.  To Buy Back Issues
     Search for specific topics in 51 Teaching Home back issues
     for sale online.  http://theteachinghomen.goemerchant7.com/
2.  To Contact Your State Home-School Organization
     Find and link to a home-school organization in your state
     that can provide you with legal information, support groups,
     publications, and conventions within your state.
     http://www.teachinghome.com/states/index.cfm
3.  To Find Quality Home-School Curriculum and Supplies
     Link to 182 home-school suppliers; view or order their products.
     http://www.teachinghome.com/resources/index.cfm
4.  For More Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement
    Read hundreds of pages of articles with practical home-school
     information.     http://www.teachinghome.com/started/index.cfm
     http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/
5.  To Track Your Bible Reading This Year
     Find schedules for reading the Bible through in one year.
     http://www.teachinghome.com/supplement/bible/index.cfm

God's Love for Us

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
     in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
(Romans 5:8)

"For God so loved the world,
     that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish,
     but have eternal life"  (John 3:16).

"The Lord is not slow about His promise,
     as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish
     but for all to come to repentance."
(II Peter 3:9)

"Herein is love, not that we loved God,
   but that he loved us,
   and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us,
   we ought also to love one another."
(1 John 4:10, 11)

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Sunnyside Up:  Capital Reply
     We like to find the locations of missionaries on
our map. One day I decided to ask our children a new
map question, so I asked if they could tell me the
capitals of Missouri and Vermont.
     Our 8-year-old headed for the map, but
the 5-year-old simply thought a moment, then confidently
replied, "M and V."
     Submitted by Joan B., Arkansas.

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