Part of my role in being an intentional family is sharing my passion with others.
Sometimes that line is blurred when I sit back and think, “with a week like I have had, how in the world can I share anything with anyone?”
And then I remember, it’s not about me….it’s all about Him, and the work that He continues to reveal amidst the good, bad and ugly of my balanced (or unbalanced life).
I would appreciate your prayers, and honestly, any comments/questions you have in regards to “Building a Vision for Intentionality with your Family.”
My theme is on How to Leave a Lasting Legacy,
focusing on creative ways to build that into one’s family tapestry.
Since I speak on this often, I am always looking for personal stories, or fresh ideas to share.
This speaking engagement in a bit more focused, since my audience will be all Children Ministry Pastors and/or Professional Preschool Directors.
It’s their state wide convention, so I guess I will take my “bedlam” hat off and actually pretend that I know what I am talking about.
They don’t need to know I play a dumb blond on my blog. 🙂
Looking forward to doing a follow up here…someday. 🙂
If you are looking for some once a month tradition ideas, and activities, check out my website for our annual sale on Lessons for Little Ones, and Live, Laugh, Love Club packets.
Until Jan. 31 are they 50% off, and this happens only once a year.
They are such a fabulous jumping off point for building strong family ties.
We all have the best of intentions, but these help you make the intentions reality.
Why save all your special family moments for Christmas?
Start incorporating them year round…it’s so worth it!
You are so right about just doing special “memories” at Christmas…we should try throughout the year. I have a a “Happy Everything” Plate” that we use to celebrate the little “successes” or “moments” of life…Sandy toe
Jen, there is a fabulous book that addresses many of the things you are describing…..I thought of several quotes to write you, but they are long and too much for the comment section. I’ve thought of blogging about some of them, in fact. The book is Your Home, a Place of Grace, by Susan Hunt. It is fabulous! Your word of intentional strikes a resounding chord throughout this book!
Email me if you’d like to know more at suzanne(at)joffrions(dot)net. I wish you well!
Suzanne
Wow, Jen! What an exciting (nervewracking?) opportunity! I’m sorry I don’t have anything to add to what I know you have up your sleeve for these privileged folks. I need to go find your stuff! : )
BTW, I don’t consider you a “dumb blond” as you called yourself. 🙂 Although you do keep it real and that often makes us all laugh.
When I think of this topic I realize that I don’t intentionally do this like I should b/c it does take some planning. What has worked for us is reading lots of books together. I am always amazed at how much can come into a conversation over a book that DOES leave a lasting legacy.
I have heard great things about Noel Piper’s book “Treasuring God in Our Traditions”.
Forgot to say that the picture is breathtaking! Is that your families hands?
I SO agree!–traditions and routines build and shape our kids and the habits they choose to set for themselves! Can’t wait to hear more on what you have to say on the topic!
wow…i just discovered your blog…and wow…what a treat! I love all the tips and advice! I have three children and one on the way, so it is so very comforting to know that I can have balance!! I will most definantly be back!!
Have a wonderful day! 🙂
Melissa
The picture is stunning. There was another blog, can’t remember or find it now that looked for God’s Thumbprint in the everyday. I loved it and it was a wonderful excercise at recognizing God’s work in the world. Throughout the day my daughter and I work at “finding” God in the everyday things around us.
What a great theme! I wish you lots of luck!
That is so exciting!
TuTu’s Bliss, that was MY blog! 🙂 I do a Fingerprint Friday series every Friday based on Steven Curtis Chapman’s Fingerprints of God song.
I hope you all can stop by tomorrow to join in!
Not having kids yet I tried to think about the things that my parents did with us as small kids that have had a lasting impact. Here’s what first came to mind:
my dad taking us with him when he went to the city dump and us singing “to the dump, to the dump, to the dump, dump, dump” to the tune of the William Tell Overture.
anywhere my dad would take us with him was fun and neat time. Even errands were fun times with dad and hmmm . . . I always felt free talking to him as I grew up, still do . . .
also, my mom making a cabbage patch doll outfit for my doll and having it laying out on the couch when I got home from school. I don’t know why that sticks out so much, but it does.
I remember when my mom had to go back to work when I was in middle school that one of the things I was most worried about was that there wouldn’t be any chocolate chip cookies when we came home from school. I don’t even know how often my mom did this but I think the point of the above two is that those coming home from school times being positive times with my mom were important to me as a child and made an impact.
For what it’s worth, those are my “gut response” memories.
Kelly
p.s. I’m VERY curious about y’all’s two century legacy plan that you’ve alluded to on your blog before.
Have a great day, Jen. Kelly
it really is so easy for us to feel like we dont have anything to contribute. thats satans way of dissableing us. so many times people see Christ in us when we are just hangng out. I want to be purposeful too, thank you for the reminder!! Great post jen! LA
You’re a hoot! Good luck w/ all your speaking engagements, I can’t think of anything more scary…wish I were like you!
I tip my vintage hat to you…you’ve got it together, girl.
You are blessed beyond measure!
let’s chat
That you so much for such inspiration…
I am with you my friend. I also want to raise an intentional family.
One of the passions of Clint and my hearts is to raise kids with a love for others…especially those who feel unloved or like the underdog.
Every morning before school I pray with Paige (our kindergartener) that she will look out for the kid who is feeling sad or alone and be a friend to them.
It’s a small thing but I hope and pray that it will help build in her a love for others. It also takes the focus off herself and her own insecurities…that is if she puts it into practice! 🙂
What a great speaking topic! You are a great mom too!
beautiful post! Just catching up on our blogging…stopping by to say hello!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
Hey Jen…love your honesty. I know what you mean about there being times that you wonder if you really have anything to share with others…when you look at your own life…good reminder for us to “fix our attention on Him”…thanks for sharing your passion!
Jen, I found your site when you commented on mine. I think we are very like-minded and have thoroughly enjoyed the posts of yours that I’ve had time to read so far. I’ll be at Blissdom ’09 as well, so maybe we can meet in person!
I love this as a real topic to dig into! I have often used the phrase “intentional” when my husband and I talk about different aspects of raising our children, but had never really thought of it as a topic that could be dug into a bit more. My goal as a parent is to not just get by, but to PLAN different qualities, traits, values that I want to instill in my chilren, and then have an intentional way of doing that. Sometimes exhaustion or other limitations get in the way, but I believe that with thought and creativity, it is possible.
Hi Jen, Great reminder to make memories and traditions along the way, instead of just during certain holidays! Wishing you well at your speaking engagement! 🙂
Thanks so much for you prayers for my family last week! 🙂 ~hugs, Rhonda
I love your pictures and your heart. My “resolution” of sorts this year is to be intentional so I will be checking back to read your recommendations. As a family we are being intentional in our giving, our spending and our time.
Oh I couldn’t agree with you more! It’s all about the special memories we create. I learned that lesson about 9 years ago when I lost alot of family members all in a short time period. One thing we do is make vacation a priority not a luxury as some do. It is just as important to us to have that special family vacation time as it is to pay our mortgage!
Thank you so much for your comment!
This is a very beautiful post and inspiring!
Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I just wanted to say that the next purchaser of your Goodwill ugly mug could be a contestant. Wouldn’t it be funny if someone showcased your mug?!
Hope you have fun at your speaking engagement! I’m sure it will be very interesting. 🙂
What an awesome family you have!
Surprise traditions. How fun. Thanks for always encouraging me with this significance.
I love OUAF- I have come across their products as a professional organizer. You wrote a great post- being intentional is the only way to accomplish something important.