Comments for Values-Driven l valuesdrivenfamily.com http://valuesdrivenfamily.com "Making the Most of Every Opportunity" Thu, 17 May 2012 20:23:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Our First “Self-Sufficiency” Day by C. Anderson http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/our-first-self-sufficiency-day/#comment-1493 C. Anderson Thu, 17 May 2012 20:23:11 +0000 http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/?p=1906#comment-1493 That is so wonderful. I love it when you share your observations, and then re-evaluate and take action in your own family! And then know that I am "observing" you and taking action here! At one point I wrote a "Christian homeschooling scope and sequence" to encourage other mothers to take their eyes of academics (non-crucial and secondary), and put their training focus back on Christ and Wisdom. This is an area I left out--why? Because it simply doesn't come up here in America, much. I included similar things such as able to work independently, set priorities, complete needed tasks without being told, etc., but never put it as a point to assess how our children can function without the adult authority--to grow them in their own authority and prepare them to be wise adults. Thank you again for taking the time to share. I love how you did this with your children, and love how you described their efforts and decisions. Precious. Will be doing that here--such crucial training for the older ones, and so much safer for the little ones if they can obey their older siblings in addition to their parents (that authority is weak and sketchy around here--the 13yo is just as apt to whine at her younger brothers as she is to help, instruct, or encourage!) That is so wonderful. I love it when you share your observations, and then re-evaluate and take action in your own family! And then know that I am “observing” you and taking action here! At one point I wrote a “Christian homeschooling scope and sequence” to encourage other mothers to take their eyes of academics (non-crucial and secondary), and put their training focus back on Christ and Wisdom. This is an area I left out–why? Because it simply doesn’t come up here in America, much. I included similar things such as able to work independently, set priorities, complete needed tasks without being told, etc., but never put it as a point to assess how our children can function without the adult authority–to grow them in their own authority and prepare them to be wise adults.

Thank you again for taking the time to share. I love how you did this with your children, and love how you described their efforts and decisions. Precious. Will be doing that here–such crucial training for the older ones, and so much safer for the little ones if they can obey their older siblings in addition to their parents (that authority is weak and sketchy around here–the 13yo is just as apt to whine at her younger brothers as she is to help, instruct, or encourage!)

]]> Comment on Will Work for Food by C. Anderson http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/will-work-for-food/#comment-1492 C. Anderson Thu, 17 May 2012 20:14:56 +0000 http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/?p=1893#comment-1492 The picture you paint is so vivid! Our family, after reading of your changes that you have made in Kenya, re-did our entire menu and cut our grocery budget nearly in half, but we have still felt no pinch or want. Bean burritos every day for lunch--there are still enough beans for the children to eat 2 burritos each (or more), and they clearly don't need that--I watch them. One would be sufficient. Haven't noticed much difference, sadly, with the "drastic" changes. Dinner plates are cleaner, and there are never leftovers--any leftovers are the only lunch option the next day. You know we've been spoiled and living in plenty when we reduce by half and feel no need. Pray for God to keep growing us--I know He is concerned with our hearts, not the amount of food or stuff--but those things can be His tools and His lessons to make us more like Him! We certainly feel like that is what He is doing here. The picture you paint is so vivid! Our family, after reading of your changes that you have made in Kenya, re-did our entire menu and cut our grocery budget nearly in half, but we have still felt no pinch or want. Bean burritos every day for lunch–there are still enough beans for the children to eat 2 burritos each (or more), and they clearly don’t need that–I watch them. One would be sufficient. Haven’t noticed much difference, sadly, with the “drastic” changes. Dinner plates are cleaner, and there are never leftovers–any leftovers are the only lunch option the next day. You know we’ve been spoiled and living in plenty when we reduce by half and feel no need. Pray for God to keep growing us–I know He is concerned with our hearts, not the amount of food or stuff–but those things can be His tools and His lessons to make us more like Him! We certainly feel like that is what He is doing here.

]]> Comment on “What Wouldn’t you Trade?” by C. Anderson http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/what-wouldnt-you-trade/#comment-1491 C. Anderson Thu, 17 May 2012 20:02:42 +0000 http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/?p=1903#comment-1491 That is a great conversation! We had a similar one after my 7yo decided to give away a small wooden box he had from a souvenir from Mexico. One of the children said, "I wouldn't get rid of that!" So I was able to ask, "What would you get rid of?" Of course leading into my exhortation to them that we should be able to give away anything and all we own at any time--should Jesus call us to do so. The heart like Jesus "owns" nothing--places no value on earthly things, and would have no problem parting with any of these things should the time and/or calling come. That is a great conversation! We had a similar one after my 7yo decided to give away a small wooden box he had from a souvenir from Mexico. One of the children said, “I wouldn’t get rid of that!” So I was able to ask, “What would you get rid of?” Of course leading into my exhortation to them that we should be able to give away anything and all we own at any time–should Jesus call us to do so. The heart like Jesus “owns” nothing–places no value on earthly things, and would have no problem parting with any of these things should the time and/or calling come.

]]> Comment on “What Wouldn’t you Trade?” by Lois http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/what-wouldnt-you-trade/#comment-1490 Lois Thu, 17 May 2012 04:54:01 +0000 http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/?p=1903#comment-1490 That's awesome, what a great family discussion! I love it when important lessons spring naturally from daily life. That's in the spirit of "Teach these things when your rise up, when you lie down and as you walk in the way." That’s awesome, what a great family discussion! I love it when important lessons spring naturally from daily life. That’s in the spirit of “Teach these things when your rise up, when you lie down and as you walk in the way.”

]]> Comment on Photo Update by valuesdr http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/photo-update-2/#comment-1483 valuesdr Thu, 10 May 2012 13:56:02 +0000 http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/?p=1873#comment-1483 I think the candy helped. :) The baby is quite attached to Mama but now that we've been here a couple of months he has become more used to "Auntie Jane." Would love to know more about your Kenya journey--where you are located, what you are doing here. Feel free to email me at info (at) valuesdrivenfamily (dot) com. Blessings!! I think the candy helped. :) The baby is quite attached to Mama but now that we’ve been here a couple of months he has become more used to “Auntie Jane.” Would love to know more about your Kenya journey–where you are located, what you are doing here. Feel free to email me at info (at) valuesdrivenfamily (dot) com. Blessings!!

]]> Comment on Photo Update by Cynthia Beachy http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/photo-update-2/#comment-1478 Cynthia Beachy Sun, 06 May 2012 18:39:27 +0000 http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/?p=1873#comment-1478 it's with wistfulness i see dear little Enoch on a Kenyan's lap. how do you do that? we've been in Kenya 9 months now, and our 15 month old (nor 2 1/2 yr old) won't do it even for a minute. i'd hoped we could plant acceptance in our children's hearts from the get-go, and for sure by now, but they don't seem to want anything to do with these beloved people too close. God bless that part of your ministry.... cb it’s with wistfulness i see dear little Enoch on a Kenyan’s lap. how do you do that? we’ve been in Kenya 9 months now, and our 15 month old (nor 2 1/2 yr old) won’t do it even for a minute. i’d hoped we could plant acceptance in our children’s hearts from the get-go, and for sure by now, but they don’t seem to want anything to do with these beloved people too close. God bless that part of your ministry…. cb

]]> Comment on Clean is Relative by Will Work for Food http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/clean-is-relative/#comment-1463 Will Work for Food Thu, 03 May 2012 10:52:33 +0000 http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/?p=1773#comment-1463 [...] to invest my time in other things than to spend an extra hour perfecting clean clothes. After all, clean is relative. However, during the few days when we had our short-term missions team here at the house, I knew it [...] [...] to invest my time in other things than to spend an extra hour perfecting clean clothes. After all, clean is relative. However, during the few days when we had our short-term missions team here at the house, I knew it [...]

]]> Comment on More Like Home by Deena Royalty http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/more-like-home/#comment-1456 Deena Royalty Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:14:04 +0000 http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/?p=1846#comment-1456 Praise the Lord for willing husbands and ways to work as to make us feel a t home! Praise the Lord for willing husbands and ways to work as to make us feel a t home!

]]> Comment on Whatever is Praiseworthy… by Deena Royalty http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/whatever-is-praiseworthy/#comment-1455 Deena Royalty Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:13:01 +0000 http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/?p=1853#comment-1455 So needful for me. *Sigh* I am wearing a "Gripes be gone" rubber bracelet at the moment! How much I need God to take the reins before I open my mouth! Wishing I could leave all that weighs me down in the states and come and sweep my hair up and help you wash today. So needful for me. *Sigh* I am wearing a “Gripes be gone” rubber bracelet at the moment! How much I need God to take the reins before I open my mouth! Wishing I could leave all that weighs me down in the states and come and sweep my hair up and help you wash today.

]]> Comment on Photo Update by Deena Royalty http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/photo-update-2/#comment-1454 Deena Royalty Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:08:29 +0000 http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/?p=1873#comment-1454 Carrie you are so lovely. I am so glad I know you! Carrie you are so lovely. I am so glad I know you!

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