Tilly counted the days down until Judah’s return so she could bake him this massive chocolate cake.
Judah has been home for a week. He is settling in just fine. He has been getting up and reading his Bible then going through an exercise and weightlifting regimen with Enoch. He is still sorting through scrap metal (it keeps coming, even months after our scrap metal drive ended) and stacking wood for our upcoming winter.
Tilly has pretty much memorized the Teen Missions flier for the 2014 teams…And has already registered for Malawi Well-Drilling! She is also gearing up for a trip to rural Columbia with her grandparents in early October. My mother-in-law is heading up a group of people who are going to teach the local women how to knit. She has been making hats and donating them to the villagers for years (it gets cold up in the mountains). This trip will be a way to enable the women to knit for their own families and have a product they can sell.
Judah was happy to get home and read again. He finished a book his first afternoon home.
And Enoch. I don’t think I ever mentioned on the blog, but Enoch helped Judah paint half a dozen or so apartments…and didn’t ask for anything in return. He did it just to help his brother earn money for his trip. Judah has already told Tilly he will help her earn money for her trip. There are times I wish we had more money…and yet I see my children knowing, really knowing, the value of a dollar. They are willing not only to work hard to get what they want, but to work hard to help a sibling. That, my friends, is worth every penny I’ve had to pinch as a mom.
I don’t have 14 children 🙂 We only have 3 🙂 I am a stay at home momma too (one income and our littlest guy has “extra” stuff that costs more than I care to think about!) and I also some days really wish there was more money and we were able to do for them more. But I agree that even at 8, 6 and 3 they truly understand the value of the dollar. Mine have done odd jobs/helped others to earn extra money to go to church camp and to send money to CICM mission this year. I love watching them come up with ideas and ways to do it and then implement them as well! And when they make their goal and get to (go on that trip, go to church camp, build a well or whatever the goal is!!!) how much more they enjoy and get out of it. What lovely teenagers you have. What a lesson they are learning and showing others too! My small people asked to see the photos of Judah’s trip. They think it is awesome and amazing! So thank you for helping me continue to teach and figure out this tight rope walk of parenting!
Blessings and Prayers!
they are learning early to help, not many teens want to help for free…even a brother or sister. you and Chuck are doing a great job with them! Bravo!!!
this past winter i learned to knit and have several beanies i will give to the homeless or to cancer patients. so far i only have 4 made…but hopefully once it gets cool again i will make more.
God bless your family!
About teens and money. Yes I think often how I wish I had more money to give them for their godly pursuits. But you are right the value of money is such an important life lesson not learned by many young people today. Mine are not saving for iPads and Xbox games. Nope but for church trips and bible college. I’m sure in 20 yr we are going to be so thankful God didn’t provide us with extra $$$ but had our children work hard for everything. Bless you.
Oh my goodness… Malawi is such an amazing country. I was able to spend time there before my senior year of college… they say it is the ‘warm heart of Africa’ and that is so true. The people are lovely, the country is beautiful… it is so amazing.
Amazing thing you are teaching your children. I am with you wanting to provide for their wants, but I need to step back and let them figure it out too.
I’d love mine to do Teen Missions, is it best to look into it now?
Kristal- The sooner they register, the more likely they are to get one their first choice team. Also, if you plan to do fundraising, you may want to register earlier.
I love that your children are willing to help one another serve. It is beautiful.
It felt weird not to have an older child at TMI this year. Just two Peanuts. They are ready to go next year and are actually looking forward to the year after that when they can go on a “real trip.”
Do you live in Florida?
Yes. Panama City.
My daughter is now trying to decide whether to be a leader one more time (summer 2014) before going into the military fall 2014 (maybe)
It is a 7 hour drive to TMI. It would probably be hard to send Peanuts if you couldn’t drive them down and help them get checked in. Or maybe it’s just my twins I can’t imagine arriving on their own?
I love the teen years! Such a precious time. Great kiddos you have!
He did it… my boy applied today to do TMI. He pondered and prayed and really felt lead. I can’t believe it. Now we wait to find out if he got the team he wants. Just wanted to let you know since your blog posts from last year and this year is what started his thinking.
Just saw your reply to my question from the last time…
Yay! What team is he going on? Wouldn’t it be wild if he and Tilly met up at Boot Camp???
That would be wild! He is praying for Australia.