Take the Busy Out of the Holiday Season with Cindy Rushton

Let’s Take the Busy Out of the Holiday Season!

With Cindy Rushton

 

It is November! Anybody fired up the holidays? The cold. The smell of wood in the fireplace. The cozy feel of being inside. Curling up under big, comfy quilts. Surprises! Sweet memories. AND…busyness….. Yep! Busyness! How many of you also battle with busyness during this time of year? Would you like some practical ideas that can make the most of your holidays so that this year does not just slip by? Well, join us for this show! Cindy will share some very practical help for making this year great. Just pour a big cup of Wassail or Apple Cider and get ready for some ideas sure to take the busy out of your holiday season!

 

Download this mom-to-mom audio complimentary at the following link. Simply click to play or right click and save into your computer. Have a hard time? Just go to my blog to download. 

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Show Notes:

See Cindy’s Christ-Centered Christmas Ebook
Christ-Centered Christmas E-Book

See Cindy’s Crock-Pot Cooking Ebook 

Crock-Pot Cooking

Homeschooling High School?

Homeschooling High School? 

Let us help!

 We had a super weekend! We have over 20 hours of fantastic audios in this set. PLUS! All of the great gifts that were given out!

 

Includes EVERYTHING you need to homeschool through the high school years!

 

The audios are being edited right now and loaded into our Membership Site as we get them ready. Get your ticket now before our price increases. Now only $29.95 until the set is all online. Then, $99.95.

 

http://www.CindyRushton.com/HighSchool.html

Order your ticket before next Tuesday and get a complimentary ticket to our upcoming QUIET TIMES online seminar!

Homeschool Tip: Teaching Through the Holidays with Cris Loop

Homeschool Tip: Teaching Through the Holidays

By Cris Loop

http://www.ChristianPerspective.net 

  

  Opinions on how we should (or if we should) celebrate the holidays vary drastically among Christians. Some have huge celebrations, while others have virtually no celebration at all. Some of us glow with excitement when we think of the holidays, some of us cringe, and some of us don’t know what to do or think of it all. But regardless of your personal view or participation in the holidays, this time of year provides special opportunities for you as a teacher.

After all, like it or not, the sights and sounds of the holidays fill the air, so to speak. It is impossible to go anywhere or do anything without observing the changes in the environment around us. Why not take advantage of the season’s uniqueness to explore with your children new depths of God’s truths? There are hundreds of ways to use the season as a training tool with your children.

If you’re wondering where you could find time for this, let me just assure you that taking advantage of the season doesn’t have to take a lot of time. What you do can be adjusted to fit the time God has given you. I’ve also found that I often need to readjust my priorities so that I can spend the time I need on what’s really important-God’s kingdom.

Below are a few ideas to get you thinking about teaching God’s truths in new and refreshing ways through the holiday season. Of course, they are just ideas. As you read them, ask God to help you think of what might work for your family.

Looking up a scripture a day on God’s character with your children, writing out the scripture on special paper, and putting it in a box is an easy and meaningful way to prepare for Thanksgiving. Then on Thanksgiving have fun pulling out your scriptures and praising God for His character. Or you could hide the scriptures around the house and have your children go on a treasure hunt.

Decorating with Scripture verses around the house is another idea. Pick a theme and write out a dozen or so scripture verses on that theme. Attach them with removable putty over a few key light switches throughout the house so that you and your family can read them throughout the month. This activity only takes an hour or so, but it really helps the whole family ponder a concept. You can also count the activity as handwriting if you have your older children write the verses.

Doing simple plays and skits using old sheets as costumes can often help bring the Christmas story and its meaning to life. Younger children can act out the Christmas Story while Dad reads it aloud. Older children can design their own plays or compile the parts so that they can each read their character. Plays don’t have to be church productions to be meaningful.

Simple devotions can also help your family keep focused. An easy idea for the rest of November would be to cut out a handful of leaves from multi-colored paper and put magnets on their backs. Every day, write an attribute of God on each leaf and stick the leaf on the refrigerator. Ponder and think about that attribute and what it means for you. Or skip the magnets and glue your leaf each day unto a large poster-board tree.

Evaluate how to decorate your home and consider putting up your Christmas decorations slowly as you reflect on their significance. For example, pull out one character of your nativity scene a day, and read about/think about that character’s response to Christmas as you do. Ask God, How did this person respond to your message? And then, How am I responding to your message?

For older children, assign them the task of coming up with an encouraging family activity. This will force them to think about God’s message, pray, and apply a lot of skills.

While the above suggestions only scratch the surface of the limitless possibilities of ways you can teach through the holidays, I hope they will get you started. I’d like to bring this tip to a close with one parting thought. Be sure to ask God how to use the holiday season to teach your children more about Him. That is what you really want them to learn.

 

Meet Cris Loop

Cris Loop began officially homeschooling back in 1988. She initially felt unqualified to teach her children because she doesn’t have a college degree! God, however, gave her Isaiah 54:13, promising that He would teach her children. Over the years, she watched God prove Himself sufficient to teach not only her children, but her as well. Now that her children have both graduated, Cris can look back at her homeschooling years and share the lessons that God taught (and is still teaching) her. She helps operate an online ministry to homeschool families called Christian Perspective. Christian Perspective offers unique holiday devotionals, homeschool articles/resources, free monthly newsletters, and information on teaching math from a biblical perspective. Their mission is to help families “Seek the LORD, and his strength” (Psalm 105:4) in every aspect of life. You can find out more or sign up for their free newsletters on their website, www.christianperspective.net.

 

A Special Gift for You!

This week Elisabeth recorded a fantastic workshop for her GET THE FIRE Seminar Series.  It is SOooo good that we decided that it was the perfect gift for all of you this week. Just download and sit back to let Elisabeth minister to your heart. I think this one will
help you to embrace this season and make the most of it each day!  Enjoy! We LOVE you!

Download by Mp3

Want More?

You would LOVE her entire study, GET THE FIRE! If there is one person who can inspire you to deepen your walk with God, Elisabeth is that person. In this set, she has just dug in the Word and poured it out for to all soak in! Get your set here:
http://www.talk-a-latte.com/newstudies.html

Our Half Off Sale!

Our Half Off Sale!

Stock up on all of our past studies, ebooks, audio Mp3 downloads! 

You have GOT to see this sale!
Time to stock up!

http://www.CindyRushton.com/HalfOffSale.html

Special Offer for Our Subscribers THIS WEEK!!

Order $50.00 through our Half Off Sale and get a complimentary ticket to our upcoming QUIET TIME SEMINAR/SET!

Just Too Busy with Cindy Rushton–Part Two

A Special Audio Just for You!

 

Each week we offer you a free audio Mp3 for you to listen to during your chores or Mommy walk. These audios are FREE. Just download

straight from this email or go online to our archives to download.

Just Too Busy!

Choosing the Best and Letting Go of the Rest 

With Cindy Rushton

 

Anybody else battling with the opportunities for your daily schedule? Struggling with all of the great choices? This time of year is not the only time that we battle with being too busy. I really believe that we are constantly bombarded with choices, options, and opportunities.  Join me as we look at what is really important and learn how to choose the best and let go of the rest!

 

Part Two

Just Too Busy with Cindy Rushton–Part One

A Special Audio Just for You!

 

Each week we offer you a free audio Mp3 for you to listen to during your chores or Mommy walk. These audios are FREE. Just download

straight from this email or go online to our archives to download.

Just Too Busy!

Choosing the Best and Letting Go of the Rest 

With Cindy Rushton

 

Anybody else battling with the opportunities for your daily schedule? Struggling with all of the great choices? This time of year is not the only time that we battle with being too busy. I really believe that we are constantly bombarded with choices, options, and opportunities.  Join me as we look at what is really important and learn how to choose the best and let go of the rest!

 

Part One

Homeschooling High School?

Homeschooling High School? 

Let us help!

 We had a super weekend! We have over 20 hours of fantastic audios in this set. PLUS! All of the great gifts that were given out!

 

Includes EVERYTHING you need to homeschool through the high school years!

 

The audios are being edited right now and loaded into our Membership Site as we get them ready. Get your ticket now before our price increases. Now only $29.95 until the set is all online. Then, $99.95.

 

http://www.CindyRushton.com/HighSchool.html

Order your ticket before next Tuesday and get a complimentary ticket to our upcoming QUIET TIMES online seminar!

 

Memories of Christmas Cards by Phyllis Sather

Memories of Christmas Cards

By Phyllis Sather

 

I still remember the disappointment I felt in December 1991 when Dan told me I would have to do a Christmas letter instead of sending individual Christmas cards. I was used to spending time choosing just the right card, then hand-writing a note in most of the 70 cards we sent out. I didn’t really intend to write a note in each one, but as I addressed each envelope I would remember something special we had done with that person or that they had done for us, and I just couldn’t help but jot them a little note. Believe me, I tried to shorten the list of handwritten notes, but each year I found myself compelled to write in “just one more card.” We only send cards to people we don’t see on a regular basis, since the ones we see often we can personally wish Merry Christmas, so this too pressed me to make the extra effort to write my beloved notes.

But Dan was right. With three children under 5, and Eric a preemie needing extra care, I just didn’t have time to hand-write 70 cards. But a bunch of copied letters seemed so - so - impersonal.

It was with great doubts that I sat down to type that first Christmas letter. What could I possibly say that would be meaningful to our family and friends, and not seem like mass production?

It’s taken some time, but now I find myself actually looking forward to writing our Christmas letter. I’ve even managed to find some advantages to writing a letter verses individual cards.

    I’ve kept a copy of each of our Christmas letters. This has become sort of a “family history” since we include much of what has happened during the year. I just read through a few of them this year and spent some time reminiscing. This year I’ve decided to slip them into the sleeves of a photo album to put on the coffee table during the holidays so we can all enjoy the memories.

    We’ve had our children sign the original, so we have a sample of their handwriting from each year.

    We’ve also had fun finding ways to have each of our pets sign them. Our parakeet tracks are so cute! I’m not sure how the snake will sign it this year.

    It’s fun to see the different ways we’ve done them. Some are more elaborate, others quite simple.

    We do it as a family - so we talk about the different people we send to. Even small children can affix address labels and stamps. Our children have gotten to “know” some of these family members and friends that we don’t see very often, as we discuss them while we fold, stuff envelopes, and address our letters. We often stop to pray for families that are struggling.

    We also brainstorm as a family for ideas to put into our letter. Once again it provides an opportunity to remember the fun we’ve had and the Lord’s provision during the past year.

So, as I sat down to write this year’s letter, I fondly remembered my cards, but… my heart is now in our Christmas letters. Although, I must confess, I still find myself jotting a little note here and there. I guess it’s just too hard to break some habits.

Finding Joy in the Journey,
Phyllis

Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness at:
http://www.Phyllis-Sather.com

Meet Phyllis Sather

Phyllis lives with her husband Dan and three children in rural MN. Emily (20), Rebekah (18), and Eric (16), have always been homeschooled and are now working on Home College. She is passionate about family life, parenting, home education, and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She has just completed her latest e-book, Purposeful Planning. Learn about the life changing way her family sought the Lord’s plan for them at:  http://www.Phyllis-Sather.com. You may contact her at Phyllis@Phyllis-Sather.com

 

Check It OUT!

Our Half Off Sale!

Stock up on all of our past studies, ebooks, audio Mp3 downloads! 

You have GOT to see this sale!
Time to stock up!

http://www.CindyRushton.com/HalfOffSale.html

Special Offer for Our Subscribers THIS WEEK!!

Order $50.00 through our Half Off Sale and get a complimentary ticket to our upcoming QUIET TIME SEMINAR/SET!

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