Creating a Family Team

Encourage everyone to keep a VISION  a nd to continue broadening their HORIZONS!    "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Proverbs 29:18 "You can only see your current horizon.  Every time you move nearer to your desired destination, new horizons will become clear.  New, previously hidden, opportunities will come into view."  Chris Murray Years ago when my husband and I moved from the US to Kenya, East Africa, we knew it was an opportunity for us to broaden our horizons and to make our visions a reality.  As we began to have children, we wanted to show our children the "world" so they could also keep a vision and broad horizon as they grew.   Juggling through many conflicting demands, we managed to seize every travel opportunity that came our way.  On this particular picture, we were in Spain.  It wasn't a planned photo shoot.  Once I saw how cute they looked, lined up across a bric...

Create Family Traditions Getting the whole family dressed up in white for Christmas, New Years, Easter, and special occasions is a tradition that we gradually grew into.  I must say, wearing white on these holidays and attending all white parties is very common in Ghana.  So, I guess after adapting to the cultural norms over time, it became a tradition for us.  😇 Interesting how things grow on us....😁 Now, we all look forward to getting our white outfits for those special occasions.  It sort of has the excitement of getting dressed for a wedding.😁 It's really a good experience with good vibes throughout the house.  Initially, our children resisted it, but now they see as "something we do".  Honestly, we don't always feel like getting our measurements and trying on the clothes till the fit is right (it can be a bit tiresome), but once it's done, we have no regrets.... it all looks very nice.   My hubby is always so....pumped up about the whole experi...

Creating a Family Team ...Help each other... " And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. "  Galatians 6:9 We all have such busy lives.  It's so easy to get really consumed with our own agenda and overlook the needs of the family team.   In the picture above, I had to capture the moment of my husband and son.  My husband had such a busy day, but our son really needed help with his online project.  I wanted to cover for my husband to help our son, but I knew that my husband really wanted to help him himself.  They worked late into the night encountering so many system issues that I frustrated my husband so much (Oh la...la...), yet he persisted.  They went as far as they could go, but still couldn't finish the task.   Curious to find another solution, my husband and I discussed other possible options.  The next day, I worked with our son to try the second option.  Everything worked!  Yay!...

Creating a Family Team ...Encourage one another and build each other up! "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."  1 Thessalonians 5:11 Oh la la....encouragement goes a long....long.... way with a family team!  It doesn't cost any money, it's VERY easy to do, AND the impact is so....PHENOMENAL!  Encouragement can help us to: feel good have hope have energy  work harder have greater self-confidence  have higher self-esteem reach for our highest potential Oh, there are many....many benefits to giving and receiving encouragement.  My late grandfather, Charles Adams, was a SUPER encourager!  One time, he visited us in Ghana.  I took him and my grandmother to see our children play football (soccer).  He was so impressed with our sons' skills.   Later that day as we were sitting at home reflecting on all we did.  He asked me, "Do you encourage those boys? Do you tell them they're good?" ...

Creating a Family Team ...Coaches (Parents/Guardians) stay united!   "And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them,  "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." " Matthew 12:25 Whew! This can be tough at times!  Believe me I know!  Your team players (the children) have their way of trying to get whatever they want.  They can be very clever too!  😏  If one coach (parent/guardian) says no, they ask the other one.  If the coaches are not united, CHAOS will break out all over the house.  Before you realize it, that one situation negatively impacted the entire team.  It's so crazy how small disagreements can spin out of control and tear down a family. One day, our daughter wanted to go somewhere.  I said, "Yes", but the Head Coach (her dad) said, "No".  She was crushed, turning to me saying, "You can let me go.  ...

Creating a Family Team ...Keep God first!  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 As a teen, I often heard adults advising us youngsters to "Keep God first!" Unfortunately, I didn't have a clue about how to do it. 😒  As I got older, I read the scripture, Matthew 6:33 and I learned why I needed to keep God first. 😊 However, I still didn't know how to do it. 😒 Well, thankfully I FINALLY learned some ways to do it.  It wasn't difficult at all!  Yay!!!  Here are a few ways that I learned to do it: 1.  Pray upon rising  2.  Pray before making decisions  3.  Pray before calling others for advice I tell ya, this has been very helpful for my family and I.  It helps us to do the right things and win as a family team. As for other part of this scripture, "and his righteousness".  Humm....I wasn't sure how to do this one either.  😞 Sometime ago, pe...