Happy Wednesday, Reader!

It was Canadian Thanksgiving here this weekend, so we spent the last few days driving, overeating, and are now back hitting the gym and trying to wean ourselves off of carbs—it's a process. I'll admit, I have my moments when I wonder if this is even doing anything (going to the gym that is). I'm so pathetically weak I'm lucky to spend 12 minutes on any cardio machine, and I think the most I'm even burning is about 200 calories. That's a Starbucks latte ya'll, of which I had two of yesterday. Maybe it's like gift giving . . . "It's the thought that counts" ;)
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In other news, how is your fall going? Fall is my favorite season of all time. I love the damp smell, the crisp mornings, the vibrant golden colors. But this year was literally like falling off a 100 foot tower, like those dropper rides. Boom! It's fall! I'm not sure when summer ended, everything feels blurred together and shaken up and I'm not into it. I mean, we just started school you guys. I'm over here like it's September and the rest of you are already a month into your books. We are trying yet another math program. Time4Learning worked for a bit but a few of my kids are lost again, so we are on to power homeschool. We've used it before. The nice thing is it has foreign language, as well as some cool high school options like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drawing class, musical theory, etc. So we are using it for some of that stuff for our high schoolers too. If you haven't heard of it, free tip. Not that I'm advertising another curriculum or something . . . "Gather 'Round is all you need!" But, ya know, math is kind of important so you get to tag along for my journey.
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Ok, on to all the news:

1. Podcast Episode #5: Confidence

Do you struggle with confidence? Do you feel like a wave blown and tossed by the winds of the many different opinions and perspectives that you are faced with? Are you often uncertain or plagued with doubt and insecurity? In this episode, Rebecca shares her life passage and the invitation she feels we have as Christians to rise up and walk in maturity—to stop looking to the world for affirmation, confirmation, or qualification, and start learning how to hear God’s voice and discern for ourselves. Whether you are insecure about your homeschool decisions, your theology, your marriage, your parenting, or anything else, this one’s for you!

Check out the Gather 'Round with Rebecca Spooner podcast. Available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify our app, and on the blog at Homeschoolon.com (this is where you'll find the time code notes).

2. Canadian Retreat 2022

We are getting close to capacity on our Canadian retreat with about 600 people registered! If you are planning to come and haven't registered yet, please pop on and fill out the form! If, as we get closer, you are getting sick or can't make it, please pop in and cancel your tickets just so we can plan better. We've also heard that carpooling (even from your hotel) is going to be helpful as we are pretty much filling up every seat in the church so parking might be a bit of a challenge. God has been laying a lot on my heart for this event, including something just for the kids. I feel this burning protection over our children. The enemy seems to be pulling out all the stops. Let me tell you, hopelessness has no place in the life of a child and I'm going to be contending not just for us as parents, but for our next generation. We have special guest speakers including (hopefully, things may change): a few words from Jonathan to the men and from my mom, Bonnie, as well. We hope to have some lego blankets set up and coloring sheets, so there should be something for everyone.

If you haven't heard about our Canadian retreat, it is in Edmonton, Alberta and will be Friday night and Saturday, October 21–22. This is not a convention, honestly the more I try to label what God has laid on my heart the more I realize this is really something entirely new for the homeschool world. There isn't anything "homeschooly" I can compare it to. It's almost like a church camp. I want there to be long awkward pauses between things so we have time to actually connect, talk, meet, pray, and just build connections and community. I think our first one will be special and I so hope to have you there.

3. Early Bird Registration for the US Retreat 2023 is ending soon!

Dates: April 20-23, 2023
​Where: Lake Junaluska Retreat and Conference Center in North Carolina
​Early bird: kids are free, adult tickets are only on sale until the 19th so get your order in and book your hotel room if you haven't already!

4. Thanksgiving MP3 and Holiday Print Specials

Don't forget about our limited time holiday specials. As our way of giving thanks for our customers, we are including the Thanksgiving MP3 Teacher's Guide for FREE with the purchase of any Thanksgiving product that includes the Teacher's Guide! It will be added to your account under downloads automatically, so check that out if you missed it or take a peek at some of our other holiday specials below. (This ends in a few weeks.)

5. My Side of the Mountain BOOKS!

We were able to snag some novels for our next novel study, so we are excited to announce that we will have a print special bundle of our newest novel study that will include the books and the novel, so if you don't have it yet . . . I've got you covered!

6. I'm Going LIVE​
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Finally, I am going live today in a few hours. This live has an intention (shocking, I know). I will be talking about: What to do when your kids whine and complain about school. Sure, we'll talk news as well, but if you miss it, go back and watch the replay. Don't forget, you can subscribe to my live videos so you don't miss them by hitting that bell button when I'm live!

• Missed the newsletter last week? Here are a few links you might want to save. Join our new official buy/sell/trade groups for Canada or the US​
• Using Gather 'Round with someone else or in your co-op or group? Make sure you have the group license and fill out the form here.

Did you know we have a planner?

Our 12 Month Planner is totally flexible, undated, minimalistic, and beautiful! It is a full-year planner available in print or digital form. The weeks start on Sunday (important information for those who love planning) and there are lots of open ended boxes so that you can use them for anything you choose: whether that be homeschooling, work, or a general life planner.
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Every part of this planner was designed to be flexible and open-ended while not sacrificing the beauty that we have become accustomed to here at Gather 'Round. The printed version is printed on 32 lb. paper with a cardstock, glossy cover and spiral bound on the left. The digital version is priced a bit higher only because you are able to use it over and over again. However, please keep in mind, this planner is FULL of stunning watercolor so it is costly to print even from home (over 230 pages, printed double sided).
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The bottom of the weekly pages include scripture as well as a place to plan your meals. There are monthly trackers you can use to track the time you spend outside, habits you want to make or break, or your hours spent doing school. This is an incredibly flexible and diverse planner and I can't wait to see how you make it yours!

Check out these reviews and click below to see more about how others are using the Gather 'Round planner!

"I love my printed planner! I normally print everything myself but I decided to just splurge a little... So worth it! It’s the most beautiful planner ever."

"I love mine too! I bought digital and it is so helpful for me to plan our days. It has room for everything!"

"I LOVE mine! I reverse plan, and it really has helped me keep track of things with 4 kiddos!"

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All right, that's all she wrote! I hope you are having a wonderful start to your school year, even if its a bit later like mine. And I hope to see you at one of our retreats this coming year. Be encouraged!
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"Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
​I will make a way in the wilderness​
and rivers in the desert."
–Isaiah 43:19
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God makes the impossible things of this world possible, my friend. Take heart, we might not see victory in the midst of our valleys, but God is moving, things are happening, and He is making a way in the wilderness.

Try a Free Sample!

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