Teens, Graduates, Success and Their Futures

A new Outlook

I just wanted to share a new outlook for teens.  I think so many struggle with what their futures will be.  So many of them just dont have a clue at where to even start.  Even though as parents we try to lead them, we dont always allow them to make their own choices.  I have created another Blog to help these kids achieve their Dreams.  I would like you as parents to take a look and if you find value in what I am teaching, please share it with a child you love.

As you already know, I have strong Christian values and hope that you see the benefit in what I am sharing with them.  Our kids need help, and it is our responsibility to give them love, support and guidance.  If you believe in what I am doing, send them to my Blog.  It is titled “TeensDream” — my link is www.teensdream.wordpress.com . 

Thank you for reading and supporting this Blog.  I hope you have been blessed by something you have read here.

You may even find it beneficial for yourself to read and do the exercises I have shared with our teens.  I can say this because I did.  For your information:  I have read many books on these principles and have taken from them what I believe is worthy using christian values.  These are all my own creative steps – nothing I have shared has been directly taken from any book.  The design of my strategy for teens and even adults is my own.  I hope you enjoy them and find it to be a value for your teen.

Where will you leave your “Handprints”?

I have been thinking lately about my life and the lives I come in contact with everyday.  I wonder to myself what I will leave behind.  Will it be enough for me as I look back on my life or will I wish I did more.  My heart is truly burdened for our teenagers – I have such a passion to open my door to the lonely child who has no one, to the one who is depressed, to the ones who cant stand up for what they believe, to the ones who have a dream but dont know how to achieve them, and  more.  I hope as you look in your heart, you desire to be the most you can be to someone else. 

As I thought about my kids and how tiny their little hands were and how every year a craft involved them making their “handprint” or tracing their hands, I thought about mine.  Where can I leave my “handprint”?  What a blessing it would be for even one child to say ” I touched their lives and gave them hope.  Or maybe that I helped to show them better choices.  What if:  we all were able to touch just one child’s life – would our world be a better place?  Im willing to give it a chance, I hope you will think about it too.

Everyday a child, an adult, a neighbor or even a family member needs to know – someone else cares and is willing to lend an ear, lend a shoulder or possibly just be there.  Take the time this Holiday season to be thankful for the things you have but also remember that there is someone out there less fortunate.  We dont need to be wealthy to be able to give – sometimes its the smallest little thing that can make a difference.  Open your hearts this holiday – and God will truly use you to be a blessing to someone else.  The greatest gift I desire this Christmas is to leave my “Handprint” on someone else.

Maybe it was you….maybe its that I have given you a desire like my own…maybe it will be an ongoing gift I can give myself – to be able to continue to leave my Handprints.   I hope when I look back on my life I am able to see my “Handprints” travel around the world 🙂

Have a very Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.  Thank you all for taking the time to read my blogs, I hope you have been blessed.

Raising Children to have: Respect, Honor, Love and Integrity

Your Child is a “GIFT” from God

In todays world, it is sometimes difficult to raise your child with the values we learned as children.  Why?  I think sometimes as parents we tend to forget “Our” role.  We know that this age is different from when we were children: it is tougher for kids to share their faith, they face so many different challenges than we did, children are “killing” and committing crimes like nothing we ever dreamed of, they have little or no respect for authority and so on.  I think to often, we as parents “give up” – we’re lost – how can we stop what’s happening to our kids?  I believe the answer is right where we left it: In God’s Word.  Train up a child in the way that he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

This requires us as parents to take the first step.  Train: that means tough love.  By that I mean, we sometimes have to “Demand- Respect, Honor, Love and Integrity!  Children do not “Give” it easily.  As we teach our children, the fruits of the Spirit – that Jesus taught his disciples – we will begin to see a change.  Dont get me wrong, our children will continue to “challenge” us – but now they will know the Line.  They will begin to understand what is “acceptable” and “unacceptable” behavior.  Children NEED to be taught – Your Words NEED to be enforced.  The worst thing we can do to our children is speak the words of how we expect them to behave with “threats” of discipline for not listening AND then GIVING IN.  How often do we do that?  We stop at the most critical point of their lives.  I encourage you, Teach your child Values – Expect them to Learn them – Demand that they do AND then you will see the child that you knew was there all along.  Never give up – that is what Satan wants us to do – then he is able to begin his work.  Hold on – God’s Promises are REAL – he is faithful even when we are not.  Pray for your children – that God would Protect them and Guide them and KEEP THEM FROM EVIL.  He will – they are his children first.  Give your child the Greatest Gifts:  Love, Respect, Honor and Integrity — and watch as God reveals a Blessing in Your Child. 

Everyday can be a challenge.  Everyday can become a blessing.  Are you ready and willing to begin the journey?  If God is for us – who can be against us?  Our world Needs to change – as Christians, we need to stand up and fight to protect our children.  We need to be obedient to God’s calling in Training our children.  Take a moment NOW, Pray for your children.  Maybe you need to start all over – that’s okay – it’s never to late to let your child know how much you love them and WHY you are demanding changes in their lives.  Its not easy, no, but with God : ALL things are possible – give him your situation, I promise you: He will never forsake you.  May God Bless each and every one of you as you seek Gods direction for your families.  IN GOD WE TRUST – isnt only meant for a stamp on money – its our way of Living.

TEENS ADDICTED TO DRUGS/ALCOHOL

ARE YOU LISTENING, ARE YOU AWARE…

I have been burdened for the teens in my area and so I’ve done some research.  One of my daughters best guy friends is a drug addict.  His parents have taken him to Rehab and think that it is working.  The saddest thing is…it takes more!  It takes a parent who not only seeks medical or psychological counseling, it takes a parent who is willing to “Listen”.  All of us parents want the very best for our children and sometimes have to to come down “hard” on them.  We need to be aware at all times of what they are doing – who they are hagging out with – watch them when they come home and see if they appear drunk or “red-eyed” etc.  It amazes me what children are doing in their own homes that we arents are not aware of.  That means they will not always like us and they may say things like: you treat me like a child, I know-I know- I’ve heard it a hundred times, why dont you trust me…and on and on.  The point is – its because we love them that we Must continue to make them Aware of the dangers.  Dont get me wrong, my kids have “partied” at my own home when my husband and I werent here – but because I am always watching them – I found out- and we dealt with it Hard!  Our kids today face so much more than we ever did.  Check out “Myspace” –  do a search for kids in your area, read some of the profiles that arent “private”- read some of the comments on their pages, you will be amazed.  Our children need us to be paying attention.  My Prayer and my Goal is to Reach out to the teens in my area.  Im not sure how God is going to use me or even how I am to do it – BUT- I have to and Im asking you to do the same.  Nothing burdens my heart more than a teenager struggling to meet the challenges of everyday life by using Drugs or Alcohol.  Please join me!  Please be aware and listen to your teens and those around them.  I have encouraged my daughter to be a “light” in her friends darkness.  I have encouraged her to tell him – its not okay and I dont want to be around you as long as your going to do drugs because I cant watch you “kill” yourself.  Will you join me in prayer?  Will you join me in reaching out?  Our teens need someone who cares about them – will it be YOU?

DEDICATION TO “MY SON” AS YOU GRADUATE

To my son, I will always remember the doctor saying ” it’s a Boy”!  As I took you home and looked at those tiny toes and fingers, I was in amazement of what God had created.  I wondered what kind of mother I would be: would I teach you right from wrong, would I be able to protect you from the world, what kind of man would you grow up to be?  I believed the most important thing I could do was to have you dedicated before the Lord.  As the Pastor held you in his arms and lifted you up to the congregation he prayed.  Now I dont remember exactly what he prayed, but I remember the question he asked your father and I.  Will you promise to pray for him and teach him and lead in the ways of righteousness, will you teach him of God and of the salvation given to him thru the acceptance of Jesus Christ, will you love him and care for him as God loves you:  I DO!!!  As your life began and I watched you take your first step and fall, my heart was full of joy, as you spoke your first word, I was amazed.  When you started to played outside, I started to teach you about safety and being careful.  When you started school, I cried – like every other mother I know 🙂  When you came home from school upset and hurt by something someone said, I reassured you and comforted you.  I realized as you got older, my strings got longer which frightened me terribly.  I forgot that God was watching over you.  I taught you about drugs and sex and the dangers of getting into the wrong crowds and how you needed to share Jesus with your friends and always be an example to others.  We began to hit the teenage years, and our relationship began to change.  I remember sitting with you and telling you ” these will either be the Best years of our lives or the Worst”.  You and I were challenged to make them the BEST.  Oh, it wasnt easy on your part or mine – but God was there.  Now you are graduating from high school, where is my place in your life going to be.  That question can only be answered by you.  Did I do my job, did I teach you well, will you know right from wrong, will you be safe?  This is hard my son, but joyful at the same time.  As I begin to let the strings go, I pray daily that God will take over.  My job will never be done, neither will my love or support, neither will my committment to Pray without ceasing that God will direct your life, that you will become the Man God has called you to be, that you will follow the paths He has chosen for you.  From diapers – to cars – to jobs – to your future   — I Surrender All of my worries – my committment to you remains.  I am So Proud of you my son and for all the joys in life you have given me!  You truly are a blessing and the greatest gift God could have given me.  Walk in the light of Gods word, hold on to the truths you have learned and go….begin your life all over again.  Remember, I will always be here for you…but most importantly, when we’re not together, God will be your guide.  God Bless you, I love you my son.

Mom