No Formula for Parenting, But...

Now we all know that as much as we wish it were true, there is no "formula" to parenting.  It would be so nice to be guaranteed some kind of "perfect" kids if we just followed a laid out plan. But, it's really not the case, inputs don't always equal outputs.  This is an issue that I have wrestled with over the years. As I've processed it, God has helped me settle the matter in my heart.  We just have to be obedient to the Lord, follow His leading and trust the rest to Him.  All our children are unique and will make their own choices.  We can get so stressed as parents thinking if we make one wrong decision, our kids will end up delinquents or worse not in relationship with us or the Lord.  Well, what is "perfect" anyway?  My goal is to raise children that love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul.  So here are some things to simplify the matter.  Some things that I think are essential and then I just leave the rest to the Lord.  I can't stress about it all.  God wants us free to enjoy Him and enjoy our children and enjoy motherhood, not anxious micro-managers of our kids.  

So here you go......my "formula":

1.  Be involved in a Bible believing church.  Attend regularly, get to know the people there.  Be accountable to them and let your children learn from the leaders there.

2. Love your children and set a good example to them. This means being nice and loving to your husband and children while trying your best to follow God's word and live a godly life.

3. If at all possible, homeschool your children or send them to Christian school with a Biblical worldview.  If for some reason this is not an option, you will need to be more intentional with teaching them the Word and Bible memory.  As they get older, have them take courses such as World View Academy to offset the worldly values taught in secular schools. 

4. Have family devotions at least weekly and eat meals together as a family.  During your family dinner meals pray and talk to each other about your day.  Even secular studies show the benefit of the family dinner table.  

Well, that's it.  I'm just going to relax and leave the rest to Lord.  

Sorry for the Brief Hiatus

So sorry for such a long break in my blog posts, but as you can see, I am OK!

I don't think I have ever gone this long without posting and I just wanted to say thank you to those who noticed and sent me comments and emails.  It was such a very busy fall for us and my New Year's resolution is to post weekly.  Maybe that is a little ambitious but I'm going to try.  I seem to think that I have to have a good chunk of time and write a pretty long post for it to be worth it.  But I'm thinking I might just try doing more frequent posts but they would be shorter.  Just snippets of encouragement or funny things we have happening around this crazy busy house of ours.  

But anyway, here is our fall in a nutshell...........

I had 2 boys playing football this fall.  Christian playing Varsity and Luke playing JV.  It was fun but busy.  I hosted quite a few spaghetti dinners for the varsity team.  This picture is from Christian's last game and as you can tell, he had been crying.  Being a senior on your last game is hard.  It was such a great season for him. Even getting a concussion and unable to play 3 games, he still made Offensive Player of the Year and All Conference Running Back.  Nothing like cheering for your boys on the football field.  Luke had a great season as well and got to play in some Varsity games too as a 9th grader. So glad he has 3 more years of high school ball.  We all love going to the games.  It's quite a family event.

Another major thing that happened this fall was that I was able to go with Christian and his senior class to Costa Rica on a mission trip!
All of my older 3 children have gone on the same trip with the Christian school that my children attend for high school.  In the past, I was always pregnant or nursing so not able to go with any of them.  This past summer Ron really encouraged me to go and I felt the Lord leading me as well.  I applied and not only went as a mother chaperon but also the trip nurse.  It was quite out of my comfort zone but let me tell you, I had such an awesome time.  I'm so glad that I listened to my husband and obeyed the leading of the Lord.  The trip was so incredible! Seeing these young high schoolers minster, bless and share the gospel with the young Costa Ricans was amazing!  I got to know so many of the girls so well and use my nursing skills.  Here are some pictures.......

My boy with the Chicos!  They loved him.

All of the chaperones. I had such a fun time getting to know these other moms, dads and teachers. 

And my littlest guy, Patrick, started playing soccer on a 4 year old team.  He was the highest scorer for the other team!  I guess we need to work with him on scoring in the right goal. 

Here he is telling me about his new friend he made.  Patrick really just wants to talk to everyone, including the coach and other team members during the game!

Well, this was a little fall overview.  This post didn't include all the bumps, bruises, fights and disappointments that of course happen in a family this size.  It also didn't include all the joys, hugs, tender moments and the great things the Lord is doing in our lives.  I promise to keep everyone more updated and my posts will be coming more frequent in 2016!  Happy New Year!