Hello, friend. Our winter issue is here, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride. So much has happened in the past few months. In October of '93 we had the first New Attitude Parent/Teen Conference in Houston, Texas. It was successful beyond what I had hoped for. I wish all the critics of home schooling could have been there to see the 450 teens and their parents. I doubt the word "socialization " would have even crossed their minds.
November brought election day for Mike Farris, the president of Home School Legal Defense who burst into the political arena in Virginia this year to make a bid for Lt. Governor. I flew into Richmond election night and watched Mike give his concession speech on TV. It was painful for everyone who supported Mike in his campaign, but he stood tall. I wish you could have seen him. If that was his concession speech I can't wait to hear his victory speech. It will come.
This issue features the final installment of our year, long coverage of the Farris campaign. Jayme Farris, who took over after her sister Christy wrote the first installment, has done a terrific job giving us an inside look at politics. This issue's From the Campaign Trail wasn't easy for her to write. When someone read her first draft of the article they began to bawl. She decided it was too depressing and reworked it. Jayme tells us about the many positive things which came about as a result of this campaign, but she also shares the harsh reality of defeat-the good guys don't always win. I believe this is her best work.
As Jayme bows out, we're delighted to welcome Jeff Baldwin's Christianity & Literature column, to our regular line-up. (You'll remember Jeff from last issue's Q & A.) I would strongly recommend that readers use Jeff’s column to supplement their study of English. (Hey, you're home schoolers, you can do this!) Read the books he suggests (this issue it's A Tale of Two Cities) so you get the full benefit of his commentary. I was ashamed that I'd never read A Tale of Two Cities so I quickly borrowed it from library and read it. Now I can hardly wait for the next issue to read Jeff’s column-and I'm the editor! (I'm considering moving his deadline up just because I'm anxious.)
From the N.A.'s inception both my parents have been my support system. I've been even more aware of this in the last months. In December, my dad graciously gave his office at Christian Life Workshops to New Attitude in exchange for the loft it had occupied at home. He likes it because he's closer to the kids and I like it because it feels so much more official getting up and going to work.
This issue my mother's editing of my article Peer Pressure, though sometimes painful was invaluable. The picture is of the three of us in 1977. 16 years later my parents are still on both sides of me, supporting me in every venture.
The production side of the magazine is going very well. I won't bore you with technical details, but we just bought our first computer (in the past I'd used my father's) and each issue we learn a little more about working with service bureaus, printers, and the post office.
But by far the most exciting part of publishing New Attitude is meeting more and more Christian home-schooling teens each month. There is nothing more encouraging than hearing from young people who are 100% committed to using their talents and abilities to serve God. I pray that while reading this issue you'll be challenged to leave behind the values of this world. It starts with your attitude.
Do It 4 JESUS!
Harris