Quite a few of our family members (from different states) got together this year, and decided that it would be nice if we could all spend Thanksgiving together. My brother and I had been contemplating meeting up in TX to see my parents and younger siblings anyway, so this sounded like a good idea to us. Since we're all pretty spread out, we had to decide on a central location, which ended up being AZ. Not very central to us over here on the East Coast, but it works for everyone else who lives in CA, AZ, and TX, so alas, we were outnumbered, lol. (Plus my grandparents are in AZ, and they obviously had dibs on who gets to NOT travel, know what I mean?) None of us are exactly raking in the dough during these tough times in our economy, so this has taken some advanced planning to try to make it work. My aunt started sending out the list for what dishes to bring around the first week of Oct., even though the majority of us hadn't even made travel arrangements just yet. We all agreed though, that it is imperative that we at least make this effort to see my grandparents (as we haven't been to visit for quite some time, and our beloved "Papa" is getting along in years...)
For us, it has been touch and go, as to whether we'd actually be able to make it or not. But hubby sat us down and explained that if this trip were gonna happen, it would take the work of us all.. So, we've all been chipping in and doing our part to raise/save $ for this family trip. Since this is a slower time of year for DH's business (construction), he's trying to prep ahead of time by working extra hours, and as much as possible to be prepared (often after Thanksgiving, he goes w/o work almost until the new year) for when we get back. In addition to this, I've reduced our grocery budget down to almost nothing, trying to use our available resources instead (thank God we are still getting a harvest from our garden, and the chickens have not stopped for their fall/winter break from laying, yet.) I've also been selling quite a few things on Ebay and Craigslist, and have been able to get a bit of money saved up.
But, I would have to say that the absolute STAR OF THE SHOW, has been AJ! He took our little family talk to heart, and has taken it upon himself to attempt to single-handedly raise enough $ to go. I'm not sure if the prospect of seeing his former "siblings" (teenage aunts/uncle that lived w/him as siblings for 2 yrs - actually my siblings, lol) and all of our family has been his motivation, or if it was a spin off of our family book study "Created for Work" (AWESOME book for ages 12+ on which I'll do another post on this book w/a review). I'm assuming that it's both. After reading this book together (and we still haven't finished), and hearing of our plight of lack of $ to go on this trip, AJ decided to create a "landscaping" business. He has been maintaining the lawns (cutting, weed-eating, raking, sweeping driveways/in front of curbs, etc) of our neighbors for $20-30/yard. He has taken this job very seriously, purchasing his own gas for the mower, line for the weed-eater, bags for raking, and has checked out several lawn mower repair books from the library in order to provide maintenance to the (3) lawnmowers that we have. The Lord has been truly blessing him in his efforts because it seems like each week, another neighbor will stop him (upon seeing him work on someone's yard) and give him more work. I would daresay the child has earned enough to pay for his own ticket AZ! (Although, he doesn't realize that Daddy's planning on purchasing the tickets and allowing AJ to keep his $ for spending cash and such while on our trip. ) He's worked so hard, and we are so proud of him, and the example that he's setting for homeschoolers to our neighbors.
We know that many family's are caught in a dilemma over whether or not to relay to their children how the economy is affecting them. We sometimes feel like we don't want them to worry their young little hearts over such adult matters. But, we also don't want to sugar coat the world so that our children grow up unaware of tough times that may lie ahead. We have decided that we will allow our son to share in the good times as well as the bad. So that not only will he understand how the world really works, but also be able to find joy in all circumstances. (Being able to fully understand what Paul meant in Phil 4:11-13). We're happy that he's learning that the family is a community, in which we must all do our part to make work. He truly feels valuable as a part of the family unit, and sees that when the time comes, he will be "just like Daddy" in doing what it takes to get out, and try his best to keep his family afloat, even in the toughest of economies.
I've had the same dilemma regarding alerting our children to the "full truth" or whether to gloss over things a bit. Our circumstances earlier in the year, and even now, to some extent, just have not allowed us to gloss over much. Hubby was laid off for 4 months, and when he returned to work, there were bills to catch up on. We're still not totally out of hot water, but praise God, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel (and it's not a train!--smile). I think if there is any glossing, it's probably that the kids have still been able to participate in dance--which they LOVE--without having to compromise.
The other bit of reality they see is via news when once weekly they have to summarize two current events.
I intentionally chose the book of Psalms for our Bible study this year because David had to encourage himeself when all Hades was coming down aroung them. I often tell them that trials are a part of the Christian walk. I think that, ultimately, the blessing for us and for them is that they will know that God is still worthy of praise, regardless of our circumstances.
I like that "Created for Work" book as well. Our kids are ages 9 to 2 so aren't earning outside the home yet, but they are helping with our chickens and do many chores.
My husband and I agree that letting kids earn a fair amount and spend it all can be FATAL for them. We've both known of young people who got used to buying lots of "fun stuff" with their money while their parents paid for everything. When adulthood hit, they weren't emotionally equipped to give up the "wants" in favor of the "needs". I am not sure how we'll handle the children's money when they start earning outside the home; probably we'll have them save some for college or a first home or something. It definitely takes wisdom from the Lord.
I'm a wannabe in every sense of the word. I wanna be good enough to make it to heaven, but Jesus died because I will never be. I wanna be a mom of ten living on a farm in the middle of nowhere, training my girls to honor God & their husbands, by being content, happy homemakers...yet God has seen fit to bless us with the opportunity to help rear for Him two boys (22 and 12), in the middle of suburbia ;) I wanna be a helpmate to my husband in every way possible, yet more often than not, I'm in his way, lol. I wanna be the perfect parent, that raises perfect children, yet I am constantly humbled by the fact that only He is perfect, and I must allow him to lead. I wanna be the ultimate caretaker of my temple, and the pinnacle of health to all around me, yet no amount of healthy eating/exercise keeps me from dropping to my knees often, in need of healing from the Great Physician. I could go on and on about the the things that I am trying to be, but I invite you instead to come and join me as I travel on my path toward virtue... ~Proverbs 31:10-31~
• Nov. 13, 2009 - I hear you...
The other bit of reality they see is via news when once weekly they have to summarize two current events.
I intentionally chose the book of Psalms for our Bible study this year because David had to encourage himeself when all Hades was coming down aroung them. I often tell them that trials are a part of the Christian walk. I think that, ultimately, the blessing for us and for them is that they will know that God is still worthy of praise, regardless of our circumstances.
Great job, as always.