Intentional Parenting

This is post is for anyone who proclaims to be a follower or a believer of Jesus Christ. If this doesn't fit you that is ok but I hope that after you read this you may re consider becoming a believer. You can choose not to read it and that too is ok.  If that is you, I hope you will make a decision to follow Jesus. (HE is awesome! You should try him) 

I remember growing up and loving to go to church with my grandparents. I grew up with loving parents but following Christ was not modeled in my home. I learned about Jesus through my grandparents. I now look back at the fact that my grandparents would re arrange their schedules to meet up places and decide who would pick me up and who would drop me off to or from church. I learned how to serve in the church from them.  I love my parents, but when I meet students who come to church by themselves and not with family members they live with, I see myself in them. My family would come on special occasions. 

FAST FORWARD....That was a little back story to help you understand where I am going. I am now serving in the local church beside my husband in Students Ministry. I now know that my journey has helped me to have compassion and empathy for youth. It is my passion and I am going to continue on assignment until God gives me another. 

Parents I plead you to value the local church.  Yes the local church is made up of people that have flaws, but this is the best present you could ever give your child(ren).  Better than any iPad, airpods, and the next hot item on the shelf. If you are secure about your salvation don't be selfish and not be concerned about their salvation. If you are not secure about your salvation, this is still a perfect time to progress your family together.   A sense of urgency is necessary. Jesus will return. I'll put it this way. Your job is to teach your child(ren) to love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul.  (Deuteronomy 11: 18-19).  Anything else in addition is what we call "Lagniappe" in New Orleans. Yes. NOLA is my 2nd home since attending college in the city (Dillard University...I know someone would ask) LOL.  Seriously though. If you make sure that your student attends school daily, dressed and ready without any hesitation, surely we all need to do the same for the local church. 

If you haven't found a local church that fits your family find one that does. I would encourage you to find a church that has something for your student. I had a mentor tell me once that you do not give your child an option to bathe or not so you shouldn't give your children an option of whether they should go to the local church or not. 

We like points so here are some tips to help you to connect with your tween (10-12) and teen (13-18:

1. Allow a safe place for your student to talk. They have questions but don't feel that they can talk to their parents. 
2. Be honest about your faith. Where did it begin? Where are you? 
3. Model your faith in front of them. This generation is not falling for the "do as I say, not as I do".  If anything else they will view as hypocritical. 
4. Build relationships with the leaders that have influence over them. 
5. Pray over your children. The enemy is busy and your baby is distracted with so many "bells and whistles".

I know this may be hard but we cannot continue to do the same thing expecting different results. Your legacy is at stake.  Let that be a question for you this year: What do I want to leave as my legacy? Money will go, clothes will fade...……

Daniel Fast with Kids

Some have asked about what we dinner looks like for Asquared as Rance and I are doing the Daniel Fast corporately with our church.
First of all the girls are on a modified version of the fast because to be honest I am not willing to cook two separate meals daily. Asquared is still eating bread, snacks and cheese but they haven't had any meat. We also are working on teaching them The Lord's Prayer. Also asking them what are some things that they want to pray about. They amaze me of how they think of others. Especially their grandparents. 💜

Here are some of the dinner meals that we have had that Asquared would eat.

3 Bean Chili (black, white and dark red kidney beans)
Black beans and corn tacos
Guacamole and homemade corn chips
Black bean and cheese tacos
Broccoli, mushrooms, brown rice with soy sauce (salt,pepper, Ginger to taste) Asquared won't eat the mushrooms so I picked them out
Baked Potatoes
Brown Rice Spaghetti Pasta with crushed tomatoes and basil, spinach and mushrooms.

Even though Addisyn is 5 (almost 6) and Abbye is 7, it is not too early for them to learn about prayer and fasting. They probably don't understand everything, but talking to them about it shows me they are learning.

You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 11:19 NASB

New Me, New Year

Wow. I have not written since 2015. I'm wondering what caused me to stop. Oh I know. Straight disobedience and fear of reactions!

Well I'm back. January 3, 2019

I'm not sure how often I will write but I do know that I have been disobedient about starting back again. Honestly I typically do not want to offend anyone so instead of saying anything I have learned to remain silent. I've learned that is not what God has called me to do.

Last year my word for the year was change and man did I experience CHANGE! This year my words are fearless and obedience.

So I sincerely apologize for my disobedience because I am sure by me holding back that caused someone not to learn from my experiences.

New Year, New Me. That's the thing in the new Year, right? Well that is all fine, but remember to do your part.

Pray about what your goals should be before determining your goals.

Live in community with people who can hold you accountable.

PRAY about EVERYTHING.

Talk to you all soon.