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A Note from Kay,
THSC Leader Liaison
Ever wonder how Thanksgiving and Christmas ended up smashed together like a goopy peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Well, I have a theory. It's our search for light. Yep, light.
My precious neighbor loves decorating his house with Christmas lights. He begins in early November and adds to his masterpiece every year. Chevy Chase has nothing on his colorful decorations. Frequently we see families slowly driving by to admire his creation. Kids will point and smile in the glow of the sparkling lights, noses pressed against car windows, and eyes wide with wonder. One thing is certain: they saw the glow and searched out the source.
People search for light of all kinds: light for seeing clearly, light to guide a path, light to provide warmth. We are always looking for light in times of darkness. Without darkness, and challenge, there would be no light. The holiday season is a time to celebrate light. Be thankful for the cheerful smiles that light up your home, the light a cup of coffee with a good friend can bring to a troublesome day, and the light that comes from the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
This holiday edition of the "Leader Letter" will provide you with valuable tips for planning successful Christmas activities for your group and fun recipes. Best of all, the ideas provided in "Making Meaningful Christmas Memories" by Lynne Thompson can be tailored for your family or used with the families within your support group.
May you enjoy your time of celebration and, as always, be blessed by your quest for the Light!
Merry Christmas,
Kay Orr,
THSC Leader Liaison
806-744-4441 or email to leaders@thsc.org
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 Other Sites of
Interest
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Get Connected
in Your Area Christian Home Education Association of Central Texas (CHEACT) Austin, Central Texas Region
Family Educators Alliance of South Texas (FEAST)
San Antonio, South Central Texas Region
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training (HEART)
Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Region
Southeast Texas Home School Association (SETHSA)
Houston Region
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"Legacy of Freedom"If you would like to provide your group with a better understanding of the history of home education in Texas, share "Legacy of Freedom" with them online or at your next meeting. To view this valuable, free resource, see Legacy of Freedom on the THSC website today!
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Give a Helping Hand 
Do you have any single-parent families in your group? If so, then we would like to bless them with a copy of the 2011-2012 THSC Handbook. Requesting your copies is easy. Simply email leaders@thsc.org the number of copies you need, and be certain to include a physical mailing address. There is no cost to your support group.
"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." -Mother Teresa
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Social Waters
Social Waters Question for the Holidays: What are some things we can do as a support group that would make the holiday season special?
Answer: The holidays are a special time for families but can also be a fun time for enrichment activities. Below are just a few suggestions for some "special activities."
- Enjoy hot chocolate while caravanning through a predetermined route to view Christmas lights. Encourage Christmas music, and be sure to provide a printed copy of the route in case someone gets separated. Little ones could wear pajamas too.
- Have a showing of "It's a Wonderful Life," and have everyone bring prebaked, decorated Christmas cookies for a cookie swap.
- Consider making ornaments with children from a local shelter or orphanage.
- Older students and a handful of parents could offer an evening or Saturday morning of free childcare for parents to spend Christmas shopping.
- Traditional favorites such as caroling, Christmas story reading, and placemat making are always a hit at local retirement centers but could be adapted to include the children's ward at local hospitals and after-school programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters.
- Volunteer opportunities could include straightening donated items at your local food pantry or homeless outreach, assisting churches in clothing drives, or providing needed paper goods or small toys for your Child Advocacy Center via the local police department.
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Making Meaningful Christmas Memories
Lynne Thompson
Christmas is magical.
Regardless of age, it transports us back to our childhood: tinsel on the tree, stockings hung by the fireplace, colorful packages needing to be shaken, and traditional celebrations with faithful friends and relatives. For our children, this holiday is still being written upon their future memories.
Read more.
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 Mama Frieda's Zimmie Zammie My grandmother, Frieda Milholland, was an angel on earth and my forever hero. Widowed with two children, she was a church secretary for 35 years. Trips to her home in Dallas usually meant Blue Bell ice cream, the smell of her powder, exploring the vast boxes of old pictures in the attic, and Zimmie Zammie! Memories of her love, adoration, hugs, and sweet laugh will always warm my heart. I hope your family can enjoy our make-ahead, evening tradition, courtesy of my Mama Frieda. Zimmie Zammie 2 pounds ground beef 1 large onion, diced 1 medium green pepper, diced 1 (14 ˝ ounce) can tomatoes 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained 1 small jar stuffed green olives 1 (8 ounce) package egg noodles - cooked until tender 1 pound Cheddar cheese, grated Salt and pepper to taste Sauté ground beef, onion, and green pepper in skillet until meat is done and vegetables are tender. Drain off juice. Add remaining ingredients, reserving half of the cheese. Stir until mixed well and cheese melts. Place in large casserole dish, and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. |
Wise Words
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light." - Plato
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staff@thsc.org | www.thsc.org | 806-744-4441
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