Valentine's Day Project

In the spirit of loving, my children and I crafted a fun project. 

We call it our "prayer chain", but you can call it whatever you would like to.

We wrote down names of people we know on strips of paper and linked them together.  Each evening at bedtime the kids tear off the end link of their chain and pray for that person.  As they get older, I would like to have them send an encouraging note or thoughtful gift to each person...maybe next year.   :)

For this project, you will need:
- strips of scrap paper - any color you choose.
- glue or tape
- pen, pencil or marker to write with

First, cut your paper into strips of similar length and width [no need to be precise for this activity].  I used blue for my son and pink for my daughter.

Then have your child[ren] write out names of people they know on the strips, such as family, friends, classmates or teammates, etc.  If you have younger children, you can write out the names for them or enlist your older children to help their younger siblings by writing them down.  Each strip should have only one name written on it.

Begin creating your chain by bending one strip of paper so that the two ends meet together.  Glue or tape the paper together at the ends, forming a circle.  You will continue to form "links" with each piece of paper, by looping the paper through the end link before forming and gluing your paper circle.  Once all your paper strips have been chained together, find a fun place to hang your chain. My children have a white board in their room where they can display all their art projects...so this was a perfect place for us to hang our chains.

Spend some time with your kids remembering to love the people who have been placed in your lives.

What I Desire to Teach My Son

I came across this recently when I was cleaning out some boxes.  It didn't have a date on it, but I imagine I wrote it out before I had my girls...since I only found a page for my son.  It inspired me though.  I think it's easy to loose sight of what is REALLY important to teach our children.  I do think that academic education is important, but what our sons and daughters really need to grow to become healthy adults, they will never glean from a textbook alone.  What will enable them to live whole and satisfying lives; they will only learn by example and by God's amazing grace. 

I plan to go down my list and do 2 things for each item...1.  Come up with at least one comprehensive way I can intentionally teach him or prepare him in that area, and 2.  Pray for him. 

While my husband and I can and must instruct him...only God can do the work in his heart to establish his character.  We can train him how to act...but only Jesus can work in his heart...and mine.  

Jesus, give US wisdom as we teach our children each day...whether we are "educating" them at home or not...they learn from us each moment.  What a tremendous responsibility.


What I Desire To Teach My Son


Integrity: I desire for him to become a man who consistently makes choices to do what is right and honorable, not only when others may take notice, but when no one sees: not only when he views those decisions as beneficial to himself but even when doing what is right is not the popular or politically acceptable decision, and may be a detriment to his career or reputation, cause him loss, leave him disadvantaged or present a threat of harm.

Confidence: I desire for him to become a man who is comfortable with who God has made him to be and is unafraid to be himself and to boldly use the gifts and abilities he has been given to encourage and instruct others; who recognizes his strengths; who acknowledges his weaknesses, but does not allow them to discourage or hinder him; who is willing to try; who is undaunted by worthless criticisms; who is not intimidated by position or power, but views himself as God’s servant and lives life confidently, understanding his place and role.


Humility: I desire for him to become a man who understands and accepts his function as a servant of Christ, who values others and regardless of the social status others place on him, views himself as no more significant than anyone else; who is willing to be used by God to do great thing and little things alike; who values the life and assignments he is given and gladly and gratefully serves Jesus in whatever he does.


Honesty: I desire for him to become a man whose words can be trusted; who does not have a habit or reputation of lying or recanting his promises; who is able and unafraid to speak the truth both graciously and with confidence.


Generosity: I desire for him to become a man who is concerned for the needs of others; who understands everything he has was given to him from the Lord and belongs to God; who manages his time, possessions and his money with a caring and generous spirit.


Courage: I desire for him to become a man who understands that the Lord is His refuge and strength; who trusts in Him whole-heartedly; who, when faced with danger or difficulty, is prepared to do whatever is necessary and right even though he may be afraid; a man who places his confidence not in himself, or in worldly wisdom, but who places his confidence in the Lord and chooses to act bravely and courageously.


Consideration: I desire for him to become a man who respects others and thinks about their needs and feelings; who is sensitive to others and considers those around him as he makes decisions.


Wisdom: I desire for him to become a man who has the knowledge and education to consistently make informed, godly and healthy choices; who chooses and is able to speak appropriate words at appropriate times; whose advice is sought out and respected and who is able to discern matters both spiritual and worldly; who is not quickly fooled or easily manipulated; who is both smart and insightful.


Discipline: I desire for him to become a man who is not easily influenced or persuaded by popular opinion or coercion; who is accustomed to accomplishing a goal or finishing a task on his own initiative, without necessary oversight and direction; who chooses to control his own body and exercises discipline in his thoughts, not allowing himself to be governed by emotion, desire or appetite, but rather by the Lord; who trains his mind and body and who is not enslaved to impulse or addiction.


Purity: I desire for him to become a man who commits both his actions and his thoughts to the Lord; who guards his heart and his mind; who embraces what is good and pure and holy; who eliminates not only what is impure and corrupt, but also what is useless and unbeneficial; who intentionally seeks out what is wholesome and serves to edify his life; who rejects what is degrading or worthless.


Respect: I desire for him to become a man who regards authority as being given by the Lord; who willfully submits and behaves respectfully out of reverence to God; who recognizes and acknowledges the importance and place of authority in his life and is faithful to honor the Lord above any and all earthly authority; who is able to execute a role of leadership and authority well and is capable of leading and managing others respectfully; who is able to accept instruction and correction from others, especially those he is accountable to, and learn from it; who recognizes appropriate social boundaries and honors them.

Excellence: I desire for him to become a man who is diligent, determined and focused; who succeeds in not only accomplishing what is before him, but finishes well; who is able to prioritize what is important and determine what is trivial, and who commits to devoting his energy on what is significant; who is unsatisfied with lackadaisical and whose life and accomplishments both large and small, are marked by quality, consistency and excellence.

Home

From this morning's reading from
"The Journey" [Katie's Uganda blog]:

"no matter where i am, i am always cradled in God's arms, and there i am home."

[image from The Journey]

After we finished the post, I asked my son, "Where is Katie's home?"

"In Uganda."  He answered.

"Yes.  She lives in Uganda."  I replied.  Then told him that I would read the end again and asked him to listen and try to figure out where Katie says her home is.

This we repeated over quite a few times.  His answers varied each time.  We talked about where she was born.  He suggested that maybe she likes to travel all over the world.  I was beginning to give up, wondering if maybe it was a concept he could not yet comprehend.  When I asked the question one final time, he surprised me.  With a smile and glimmer in his eyes he exclaimed, "I think I know!  Katie's home is anywhere."

"Yes!  Good job!  Do you know why Katie says her home is anywhere?"

"Yes, I think I do."  He answered.  "It is because she is cradled in God's arms."

As a homeschooling parent, my joy is doubled when I see my children beginning to understand something I've been trying to teach them in our home education.  Not only do I feel satisfaction and accomplishment as an educator...but also pride and delight as their mother. 

I become especially excited when they are able to reason and figure things out on their own, rather than simply having me tell them.  Sometimes they needs some guidance, and sometimes I do need to explain something.  But those moments when I can almost watch the gears turning in their minds or see the light bulb turn bright through the sparkle in their little eyes - oh those moments are dear to me!

We talked some more about what it means to be "cradled in God's arms".  And then I told him that we too, like Katie, are cradled in God's arms, so wherever we go, God is caring for us, loving us, holding us.

Then I asked him to pray.  And this was his simple prayer:

"Dear Lord, please take care of all the orphan children in Uganda.  Amen."

Amen!