New!
“New!” is a favorite adjective for advertisers. I can see why. Newness can be very exciting. It’s pleasant to visit a new place or make a new friend, and it’s fun to wear new clothes or buy a new car. However, experiencing something new doesn’t always feel comfortable. The same experience can produce different responses in different people. For example, sometimes it’s fun to move to a new house, but a move to a new house can also be scary if that new house is in a place where we don’t know anyone. And it can be sad if the reason for moving is not a happy one.
Sometimes things that are new produce conflicting responses in the heart of the same person. A new mama can rejoice in her newborn baby, while shaking in her boots at her new responsibility at the same time. The same can be true for a new bride or for a child at her first day of piano lessons.
One time when I experienced conflicting responses was when I was a brand new homeschooling mama. It was an exciting time and a scary one. My early experiences in homeschooling are some of the reasons I have such a passion about encouraging you every weekday.
This year has seemed like the year of the new homeschooler to me. I have met mama after mama who is just starting out. This prompted our team to create a new video called “My Homeschool Story.” In it I share my own early homeschooler experiences and the lessons I learned the hard way, along with things I wish I had known back then. Even if you have been homeschooling for a year or two (or ten or twenty), my story might encourage you, too.
We all need someone to hold our hand sometimes. Do you know anyone who is starting to homeschool this fall or someone who is discouraged and needing some encouragement? If so, I would appreciate it if you shared this video with them. Thank you so much.
You long-time readers know that I am hesitant to sound like a commercial in these posts. In this video, I do share how Notgrass History can help new homeschoolers in their first year. I share this because I believe so very much in what we are trying to do as a company and because I know that what we produce can help new homeschoolers get off to a good start, while keeping them from having to learn some of the lessons I learned the hard way.
The Bible talks about all kinds of wonderful things that are new.
A New Song
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:3
A New Commandment
A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another,
even as I have loved you,
that you also love one another.
John 13:34
A New Self
. . . you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
and have put on the new self
who is being renewed to a true knowledge
according to the image of the One who created him . . .
Colossians 3:9
Homeschooling is something to celebrate and we want to celebrate it with YOU! That’s why we have designated July 24-28 as Celebrate Homeschoolers Week. We will be sharing special messages, encouraging videos, and free printables throughout the week.
Look for a short encouraging video from me each morning next week in your morning email.
Until then, check out our new video made especially for new homeschoolers — and for you: My Homeschool Story.