Shining His Light...
and breaking statistics.

This is a testimony (of sorts) about broken families and God's love.

I was raised in a broken home.
My dad was a druggie.
My 1st step-dad was a drunk.
My mom, although young & naive & making poor decisions,
was always loving. She always did the best she could do in the circumstances she found herself (& I) in.
Which led to my being raised in my teens by a single, hard working mom.
In turn, I helped my mom raise my little sister.
We are 11 yrs apart, and the best of friends.

As an adult, my own family began in a broken state.
A rushed marriage, a wanted child, and a much needed divorce found me all at the age of 22.
My blessing in the rubble of the choices I made, was my first born son, Joey.
Another disguised blessing came when this son was about 8 months old.
I met my dear husband Fred.
He also came from a broken home.
We entered a marriage not knowing what marriage was, or even what love was for that matter. We "knew" we loved each other, but it would take many years to truly begin to know what that really meant.

After years of walking away from Christ, or atleast neatly tucking Him away so I could do all the fun things I thought I needed to do, I found my way back around to Him again. Years later, Fred, within his own journey, came to be saved.

Our son Joe had been raised in a loving family, but he knows, remembers, our non-Christ-filled days. We also opted to let him go through the public school system via his own request. (Since this blog shares much about our homeschool journey, I figured I should share that.)

Many things we have cared, shared, & mentored to this specific son. After all, he is the guinea pig of our parenting, right? We were both raised w/ loving moms, but this newer experience of having a Father to help guide us, put us on a learning curve. We have listened to God earnestly, and have learned much, and we have continued to share the values placed in our hearts to all our children.

1. God cares, we matter.
2. Walk the walk; don't just talk the talk.
3. Always shine His Light in all circumstances.
4. Are you going to be a statistic? You know, the one that gives the ridiculous high percentage to say that children that are raised in a Christian home will walk away from their beliefs somewhere between 18 and 22?

Our Joe is now 22.
In high school he ran into little trouble (although not a perfect child, lol), and made tough decisions that took me awhile to realize. One being that when one of his bestest childhood friends (whom came from a fabulous Christian home) began to make poor choices (ie partying) our son chose to hang out with different friends. One friend he hung out with was not a Christian, but a great kid none-the-less. His name... Chris.

Well, I am pleased to say that not only has our son broke the "statistic", but has also been sharing His Light along the way. Chris not only is now a Christian, but it going to seminary for a BA in Theology Pastoral Counseling. *smile*

Here is Chris's attempt at blogging... http://christophersphilosophicbrain.blogspot.com/

I think he is doing a fine job, and it is wonderful to see young men stepping up to make a difference in others lives... even if it is simply to shine His Light.

WE ARE GRATEFUL...

that our Joe is OK!!

He avoided a row of instant stopped traffic,
on the freeway at rush hour,
fishtailed off to the left, crossed 2 more lanes of traffic,
and slammed head on into the median with enough force to actually move it!








~His seatbelt was on,
his airbags went off,
and amazingly no other cars were involved!
Joe walked away w/ no injuries at all...


~This has a significant meaning to our family, as 5 yrs ago this May, we lost a family member in a similar circumstance, and he too was 21 at the time.

We rejoice at the outcome, all the while emotions are stirred at our previous loss.

I am confident in this,
that He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 1:6

JOESEPH

Joe ~ We are so proud of you!

You did not rush to move out (thanks for breaking me in easy). It was a wonderful gift to still have you home when Baby Bryson was born...family is priceless! Some folks were worried (more like observant) on how your mom would handle your new independance. Although childhood seemed to have gone so fast, it is exciting to watch your 'new beginnings'... you are ready, you are strong, you are wise (for your age ;^), and remember that you will always be able to define who you are through Jesus Christ.

Memories:
*minutes old~
the first time I saw your amazing blue eyes (this mom can be bias)
*2-7 yrs~
Mr. Dress up ~
could dress up and act like any Action Hero he ever saw!
*4-16 yrs~
The Brick Wall ~ awesome soccer sweeper!
*5 yrs~
learning to spit with dad over the bridge (we will just leave it at that)
*10 yrs~
going on a "4th of July" walk w/ Aunt Chanelle...thickets, nettles, ouch
*12 yrs~
you staying calm when your bed was catching on fire
*13-19 yrs~
going to concerts with you...we rock, lol.

Things I wont miss:
*your laundry :^P
*HWY 30 worries

Things I will miss:
*Our late night talks
*You playing the guitar.
*HI JOE! from Andrew

~~You will always be our Joey~~
WE LOVE YOU!!!