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| I had a great time--reading! |
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| Kevin & Angela, Kari & Jeff and KIDS |
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| Kasen makes the catch! |
We're
back
from vacation!
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| Keana and Cousins |
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| Cousins working on a puzzle |
While you were enjoying Kauai's February rain, Jan and I were in sunny San Jose del Cabo, Mexico with two of our kids and their families. Why Mexico? When our kids were growing up in Southern California, Mexico--especially the Sea of Cortez--was one of our favorite vacation places and so this year we returned. And just like every proud family, here are a few family pictures:
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| Kasen, Luke and Levi are under towels |
I loved it when people
asked, "And where do you live?" and then I would watch their expression when I'd say, "Kauai!" They couldn't believe that we would leave our beautiful island and vacation elsewhere!
Right this moment, do you realize how blessed you are to live in "paradise"? Look around you and find a colorful tropical flower, notice the blooming trees, feast your eyes on the ocean vista or the green of the hills and Praise the Lord! Then take out your phone and snap a picture of one of your favorite things and send it to me. It would make a great post! (I'm serious. You send it...I'll post it!)
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| Like father--like son Zzzzzzz |
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| Kadia: "I learned to swim in Cabo!" |
What Kind of Parents Make Spiritually Strong Young Adults?
1: Spiritually strong kids tended to come from smaller two parent families, where only one parent worked, and the parents felt that parenting was their "primary" job. My guess is that it wasn't really the small family or one income that made the difference, it was that these families spent more meaningful time interacting with their children, talking about God, living His love, and sharing what God was doing in their lives.
Ask yourself: What can I do to make sure I'm spending significant enjoyable time with my children being the kind of parent God would have me be?
2: Parents showed unconditional love, but maintained control in ways that children accepted, respected and obeyed.
Ask yourself: Do my children feel loved unconditionally--just because they exist, or do they feel feel they my love is dependent on their behavior? Do my actions let them know I have strong values that they can respect? Am I firm--yet kind?
3: The character development of their children was the parents most important focus--above money or their children's achievement in school or sports. They had regular spiritual conversations with their children and studied the Bible with them. They controlled negative media influences and involved themselves in their child's choice of friends. But they viewed themselves more as "coach" than "lecturer."
Ask yourself: Am I effectively coaching my kids to live a Christlike life?
4. The top mistake parents made, according to the spiritually strong young adults, is that parents failed to identify and enforce rules that were based on principles and the Bible. They said that a well-ordered family made them feel secure, especially when parents were in agreement.
Ask yourself: What should the Bible-based rules of my home be? How can I establish them in such a way that I won't provoke my children to anger and rebellion?
5. Hearing parents voice their commitment to each other underscored the security in the home.
Ask yourself: How do we keep our marriage strong when the kids seem to need us all the time?
God says that nothing is impossible with Him.
Commit yourself and your children to Him
and enjoy watching them become spiritually strong young adults.
(Mark 10:27)
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| The Arch at the tip of Baja where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean |
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