Article: "The Teen Phenomena"
Recently I have been... captured... by the words of Kevin Swanson and thrown into a depth of thought that makes my mind whirl. While I get a bit dizzy trying to sort out the rush of thoughts swirling around somewhere deep in my mind I appreciate so much the challenge that this "whirl" gives me. I love the opportunity to share with my Mr. F my findings and have great discussions and hopefully apply it to our living somehow.
I have just finished reading this article: The Teen Phenomena. It will take me some time to process this and the call to change that arose in my spirit tonight! and since Mr. F is away at a meeting, I just have to share this, so here is a snippet... I will be reading along with you because it deserves a second read...
(I have added some emphasis.)
"What we have today is the remnants of a civilization where the pop culture mentors the teens, and the teens mentor their peers, and the culture is hardly developed by parents or pastors mentoring in families and churches anymore. The pastors or shepherds of the culture are the pop icons, and the youth pastors run hard to keep up with the cultural standards set by the icons. Is it any surprise that 70% of young men are not grown up by 30 years of age (up from 30% in 1970), per Newsweek magazine, or that 80% of Christian children not discipled by their parents “leave the faith” after leaving home?
If we will rebuild culture, we must begin with the fifth commandment, and a willingness on the part of parents to disciple their children in the commandments of Jesus. If this happens, we will begin to see culture reconstructed on the wreckage of the 20th century. Hopefully, the next generation will be more mature than we were in their incarnations of love and honor and discipleship of the succeeding generation; but only because they stand on the shoulders of their own parents who discipled them. "
If we will rebuild culture, we must begin with the fifth commandment, and a willingness on the part of parents to disciple their children in the commandments of Jesus. If this happens, we will begin to see culture reconstructed on the wreckage of the 20th century. Hopefully, the next generation will be more mature than we were in their incarnations of love and honor and discipleship of the succeeding generation; but only because they stand on the shoulders of their own parents who discipled them. "
While I understand that several fingers could be pointing at me right now, lets just focus on the solution, shall we?! It seems this will require a huge paradigm shift of perspective- I guess prayer is always the best beginning...
Home, Sweet... calamine lotion.
Well, here we are our first night home (early) from Lincoln City. The calamine lotion went on immediately!
Paisley was such a trooper with the chicken pox. I was truly amazed at how well she handled all of the discomfort. I am so glad that only one other person came down with the disease, although I wish that no-one would have had to deal with it! So sorry to expose everyone, at the beach no less! Now then... do you have any pictures You would like to share with us, Uncle Steve?! Something else was also donned immediately upon our arrival home...
Esther was thrilled to play around the house in her new tutu and leotard from Great Grandma! Thanks so much!
Esther was thrilled to play around the house in her new tutu and leotard from Great Grandma! Thanks so much!
Thank You, Great Grandma!
Here are some pictures of our trip with family to Lincoln City in September. What a whirlwind trip, (and by whirlwind I mean it happened for us in the middle of a lot of transition and craziness.) It was wonderful to be there with everyone, even if for a short time! We ended up leaving early due to circumstances beyond our control =) (sorry, Uncle Steve!) but the beach house still provided good times and great memories! (Some we won't soon forget ha!)
The attempt at all the grands on the couch... you just never know what to expect.
Glad to catch this moment...
The girls adoring new little Lucy.
I love this photo, it looks like Esther is going to sneak up on Ethan and say "boogedie!"
Time in the sand.
Halloween
This photo was a last minute addition, but I had to add it. Paisley was so excited to wear Esther's headband from her costume, she would sway her head side to side to let the feathers tickle her cheeks!
We had a blast preparing to wear our costumes! You can see the anticipation for the evening all over their faces!
Grandpa and Grammie were working at the school house so we stopped by to say hello.
At a church carnival- slightly overwhelmed by the crowds but I think they had a blast! Walking away with some candy always brings a smile =)
{recent} photos
Here are a few random photos from this fall-
Penny playground...
farmer Paisley...
Having some fun at the pumpkin patch!A Conversation
I was driving today with my children and Gracie asked me about our friends' baby. I said she was up in heaven now. Gracie then said "maybe she will come back and be with her family." I had to reply, "No, honey. She's not coming back. She's up in heaven with Jesus now. Someday (our friends) will get to see her up there." Just then the song came on K-love that sings "dance with Jesus," so I added "you know, maybe she is dancing with Jesus right now!" to which Gracie replied, "wouldn't that be fun to dance with Jesus wearing his tu-tu!"
I love that my 3 year old's image of heaven is dancing around in a tu-tu (probably pink) with Jesus. I love that I get that same image in my own home everyday with Esther and Grace- (well, almost everyday ;)- reminding me that the work I share with my husband is such a sacred calling, reminding me to count each day as a blessing and each moment a chance to turn our daughters' hearts toward the One true and living God.
Lord please keep my heart soft and my perspective eternal.
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