the Next Milestone

We're developing a new Milestone for 4-6 year olds and their parents, it will debut on July 22nd!

At Suncrest, each milestone is an attempt to connect with parents. Specifically at a time when they are already open to input with regard to their role in spiritually nurturing their children.  Milestones 1 and 3 are in place and we're seeing a great response from parents and children.

Milestone 1 is Parent-Child Dedication and includes a Covenant that parents write for their child/children.

Milestone 3 is a class called Lifebuilding - a class dedicated to helping parents lead their kids through the basics of our faith and baptism.  One of my favorite things is the Blessing that parents write for and read to their children! Love reading what parents write about how they see God at work in their child's life.

Now we're working on the middle.  Milestone 2 will be designed to give parents some tools to help them lead their child through the preschool and early elementary years.  Right now our list looks something like this:

Teaching your child to pray

Praying with your child

Helping your child see God at work in their life

Simple faith conversations

What do you think? What would you add to or take away from our list?

Lori

A few weeks ago I said I would be writing posts about people who have "marked" my life in some significant way.  Well, it has been crazy, busy and I'm sure there are even more people who have been added to the list but today I'm getting ready to see one of my dearest (was going to write oldest, but she isn't old) friends, so she is who you get to hear about this time.

Lori is kind, gentle, generous, persistent, kind, strong, beautiful, kind, creative, hardworking, and oh, did I mention kind?  You know those people that make you think differently, ask better questions and hopefully bring out the best qualities in you?  Well, Lori is one of those people in my world.  We haven't lived in the same city for more than 5 years now but she still influences the way I do ministry, forgive people when I'm hurt and helps me remember that true kindness is as valuable as being right.

I have learned to love people that I will likely never see because Lori brought them to life! She helped kids (and adults) learn about other kids that don't look like us. eat like us or play like us, but that God loves as much as He loves us. 

She is the one person who could say, "Debby, go in your office and close the door.  I will let you know when you are allowed to come out and talk to people again." By the way, this was usually after a very long day in the office when all of my "filter" was gone. 

I really could go on and on about what a terrific wife, mom, daughter, friend she is and I could tell you story after story of how we laughed until we cried but let me just say this:
If there has been a time when I have interacted with you and spoken a kind word rather than just being direct, it might have been influenced by this woman's ability to speak truth in love.

I am forever "marked" by this most amazing woman, can't wait to see her again!

"marked" by people

The other day I started listing some of the places I've lived (and ministered) and how I have been changed by them.  That short post ended up reminding me of God's faithfulness to me and those I love.

It also reminded me that places alone don't leave the marks that make us who we are; the people who enter our lives are what do that best. And I have had the privilege of knowing my fair share of people.  As I think through the people who have marked my life (and ministry) there are a couple of categories.

1. People that are still in my life, and hopefully always will be. I hope that I am as precious to them as they are to me.
2. Those whose relationships may have been short but marked me in ways that still make me feel valued, loved and make me a better person.
3. Those who left marks that were painful, but used by God to draw me closer to Himself.

Each of us could likely make a list of people who fit these categories...I'm not going to do that here.  Instead, I'll write a little something each time one of these people comes to mind.

This really isn't for you...just a way for me to mark God's faithfulness in my life.