April 25 & 26:
Real
Life Marriage Weekend: Homeschool Edition,
Vancouver, WA
June 4 & 5
Real
Life Marriage: Homeschool Edition,
Kansas City, WA
See website for hotel information.
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Announcing
the newest FCHM Co-ops:
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The Old
Schoolhouse Magazine
TOS is the
leading Christian homeschool publication
worldwide whose mission is to produce a high-quality biblically-based
magazine
that stands alone as a practical resource and introduces relevant
products and
services to the home educator. Our goal is to strengthen, support and
challenge the family spiritually and academically to impact their world
for
Christ. 
Members of FCHM Co-ops receive a discounted subscription to TOS!
Please type in FC+Gifts to receive your discount.
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 Special Bulletin: Homeschool Ruling
Vacated; Court Will Reconsider
Selina
Farrell, director of the First Class in Ventura County
sent this news to us last night-
Pacific
Justice Institute has just received word
that the court ruling which declared most forms of homeschooling
unlawful in California
has been
vacated. This means the Rachel L. decision, which has sparked a
nationwide
uproar, will not go into effect as it is currently written. The Second
District
Court of Appeal has instead decided to re-hear the case, with a new
round of
briefings due in late April. It would likely take the court several
additional
months to schedule oral argument and issue another decision.
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FCHM Announces New Editor
We are just pinching ourselves over here at First Class
because of the amazing things God is doing. He has blessed us by
bringing an incredible group of men and women alongside FCHM who not
only posess a heart to follow after Christ, but who share a love for
His people. Homeschoolers, in particular! From Board members to
writers, web designers to prayer warriors, God equips His people for
"every good work." We see it all the time!
Recently, God answered our
prayers for an editor of the FCHM E-zine
. Meet my friend, Zindra
Nelson. We've been watching Zindra quietly from the sidelines as she
put together beautiful newsletters for her local First Class in Skagit
County, WA. Not long ago, I asked her if she would consider taking on a larger role in the ministry of
FCHM, as the editor of our online magazine, (or ezine) "Connections."
After praying about it--and to our delight--she accepted the position.
This is her first e-zine, and it
looks great!
 Please join me in
welcoming Zindra as part of the volunteer staff at FCHM. I know you'll
be blessed by her sweet spirit and honest approach to the joys and
challenges of homeschooling. She'll be looking for contributing
writers in the months to come. If you enjoy writing, here's your
opportunity to use your gifts to serve others in the FCHM community of
homeschool cooperatives.
Do you like to write? We are
switching our ezine format to a weekly ezine. It will be shorter, but
more frequent , and each month will have a theme. If you are
interested in being a contributing author, you may contact Zindra at zindra@fchm.org
Welcome, Zindra! Thanks for serving the Lord wtih us!
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 FCHM announces
Real Life Marriage Weekend: Homeschool Edition
How
strong is the foundation that your homeschool is built on?
Let's face it. Homeschooling is a huge commitment. Navigating the
unique intricacies of balancing homeschooling and marriage can create
tension and stress. It's easy to focus on the job of homeschooling
your children and give your marriage the "leftovers."
Our
mission is to help restore balance and revitalize your marriage through
a weekend filled with Christ-centered workshops,
general sessions and personal time
designed specifically for homeschooling parents.
We believe that God's Word still has
the best advice for restoring hope and rekindling the passion of the
one-flesh relationship.
Real Life
Marriage Weekend: Homeschool Edition is not your ordinary
marriage retreat weekend. Why? Because no "ordinary" marriage
workshop or retreat can possibly deal with the unique issues we face as
homeschool parents. This is one homeschool event you can't afford to
miss! Whether your marriage needs a little tune-up and refreshment, or
whether your marriage is at the breaking point, set aside these two
special days and ask the Lord to meet you and your spouse at this
marriage retreat.
At
a
Real Life Marriage Weekend, you will:
Revitalize your vision
and discover together the JOY of homeschooling...
Reconcile the difficulties of living on one income
in a two-income world...
Realize how homeschooling
can actually make your marriage stronger...
Rekindle romance and Rediscover the joy of sexual
intimacy...
Reconnect with one another and learn
how to make effective communication a priority...
Receive the tools and skills
to create a true and living partnership with your spouse...
Route an exciting new course for your homeschool years and beyond.
Register
Today!
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By Zindra Nelson
A Big "Hello" to Everyone at
First Class!
I can say that I am truly honored to take on this project! Are you
wondering who the new editor of the FC E-zine is? My name is Zindra
Nelson. I've been married to Rod for 11 years. We have four beautiful
children: Josiah (9), Jedediah (6), Jaden (5) and Julia Mai( 2). I am
a college graduate and a stay-at-home mom.
Rod and I are members of the First Class
Skagit County Co-op in Washington State. We serve as Board members,
and Rod loves to teach fun educational classes at our Friday School. About a year ago, I began editing First Class News, the newsletter
for First Class Skagit County. It has been a fun and rewarding project,
since I have a knack for photography and computer programs! I enjoy
encouraging moms and keeping everyone up-to-date.
When it comes to First Class Co-ops, I really
love First Class. I love what Jay & Heidi are doing for the
homeschooling community. When I really needed support, I found it
through First Class. Now, it's my
turn to give something back. I am extremely supportive of the
vision of FCHM, and I am excited to be part of the ministry team here.
Feel free to contact me with article ideas or questions about the
FCHM ezine! I look forward to hearing from you.
zindra nelson
Rod and Zindra Nelson have been married for 11 years
and they homeschool their four children ages nine to two. They
both serve on the First Class Skagit County Board. Rod
is a First Class Teacher Extraordinaire and a frequent contributing
author. Zindra is the editor of the local First Class
News as well as the editor of the First Class Homeschool Ministries
Ezine
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 1950's Living in Today's World
By Rod Nelson
Who
remembers Beaver Cleaver from the show Leave it to Beaver?
I
grew up watching reruns after school of this 1950's mainstay. The
premise of the show was a typical old-school family. The
children had many adventures together, from sneaking off to go fishing
to pulling girls' hair. On the show, you didn't see teen
pregnancy, drug use or many of the other things that kids deal with
today. Today, our lives are very different.
 Yet
through our First Class Co-op, we have an opportunity to do something
significant! The people we have met through our co-op, we would not
have met any other way. We go to different churches and live in
different neighborhoods. Through First Class we have created a
community that allows our children to have a childhood and not enter
early into adulthood. We can create friendships that have meaning with
people who believe in the same things that we do. And our children
benefit by not being as exposed to "the things of this world."
Some people say that we are sheltering our kids and
that they need to be exposed to the world. I agree with them
completely! I am sheltering my children and I will expose them to the
world as they mature as as I feel they are ready.
I want my kids to be kids.
I want them to learn to skip rocks and fly a kite. To
appreciate the sound of a perfectly thrown water balloon as it bursts
on someone's back. To climb a tree and skin their knee (I have
boys!). I want to teach them to catch a fish and build a paper boat.
To spend the day at the beach building the ultimate sand castle--where
all the kids at the beach ask to help. I want my kids to be kids!
First Class is much more
than Friday School to my family; it is our community. A community of
friends who have a Biblical foundation and a desire to honor the Lord.
Where kids are allowed to be kids! Isn't that great? A 1950's setting
in the 2000's!
Rod Nelson
Rod and Zindra Nelson have been married for 11 years
and they homeschool their four children ages nine to two. They
both serve on the First Class Skagit County Board. Rod
is a First Class Teacher Extraordinaire and a frequent contributing
author.
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LET'S TALK!
Have
you heard about the New FCHM
Homeschool Chat through Google Groups? Join the national list of
FCHM Co-op members and make a new friend!
We're talking about everything from how to make your co-op better to
homeschool tips and questions. The FCHM Homeschool Chat is a benefit
for members of a First Class Co-op. Please indicate which co-op you
are part of when you apply to join the group.
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