A successful parenting journey requires consistency, patience, and resolve. Yet the journey is often filled with frustration, anxiety, and, at times, hopelessness even when we are trying to do our best. Thankfully, there are those moments that can unexpectedly encourage and sustain us in the process!

Recently, we were reminded of a heartwarming story shared by friends and OneFamily parents. This story beautifully illustrates one of those unexpected moments when parents receive affirmation that their dedicated efforts in heart training truly pay off!

A couple of weeks ago, Brooke and her two boys, along with their aunt and cousin, were shopping to fill their  Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.  The purpose is to fill a shoebox with toys, practical hygiene items and school supplies for children around the world.  You can select a boy or girl child for your shoebox, but you don’t know who will receive it. 

As many parents know, shopping trips with children can quickly turn into what the kids want.  They see it, they want it.  So, Brooke was thrilled when the boys were so excited to shop for children other than themselves.  As the boys were joyfully and thoughtfully collecting the items they wanted to add to their shoeboxes, her 10 year old boy suddenly stopped in the middle of the aisle and began to pray.  His prayer was that the toys they were selecting would go to the right children; children that needed and wanted those specific toys.  Seeing this unfold, a woman who witnessed this scene told Brooke how much joy it brought her and other patrons in the store to see this special moment.

This is just one of many examples of what placing moral and practical lessons into the hearts and minds of children can do.  Over time, children begin to elevate virtue and live out what they’ve learned and seen modeled by their parents. They begin to set themselves apart and allow their light to shine to other people.

As parents, we often feel overwhelmed, thinking, “My children’s behavior is embarrassing… Will I ever get through to my kids… Will they ever listen… When will they stop challenging me…”  By God’s grace, it seems that at those most overwhelming times, we receive an unexpected blessing that confirms that our consistency, patience, and resolve are worth all the parenting challenges we’ve faced.

With OneFamily, our mission is to come alongside moms and dads by equipping them with practical advice and resources that encourage and sustain them throughout their parenting journey.

Do you and your spouse need encouragement as parents, or are you seeking practical and meaningful advice? Do you need to retake a course to rejuvenate your parenting strategy?  We have just posted our online class lineup for the new year.  Click on the links for additional information and registration, including early bird discounts!

Parenting Toddlerhood Transitions (18mos to 5yrs) – Tues Jan 14TH, 7:30 – 8:30 – 5 Sessions – https://events.humanitix.com/toddlers-jan2025

Parenting the Middle Years (7yrs through Teens) – Thus Jan 16th, 7:00 – 8:00  – 5 Sessions – https://events.humanitix.com/midyrs-jan2025

Parenting from The Tree of Life (Our Main Parenting class covering 5YRS To Teens) – Sun Feb 6th, 7:00 – 8:00  – 10 Sessions – https://events.humanitix.com/pftol-feb2025

Our SYMBIS online marriage assessment & check up is ongoing and available anytime: https://onefamilyhwl.org/product/symbis/

 

Blessings to you and your family this Holiday Season,

Shelly & Rich

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A Special Opportunity to Help Families

During this season of giving, would you consider helping OneFamily to Equip, Encourage and Sustain families like yours?

In our letter, OneFamily – One Million Families Reached in 2024, we shared how OneFamily continues to serve families successfully along with some exciting new opportunities we have to expand our reach to more families.  We can achieve this only with your support! Our projects, growth, and sustainability primarily depend on financial contributions from individual donors like you.

With your generous donation, OneFamily can continue supporting you and help more families with the tools and programs they need for their marriage and parenting to succeed in today’s challenging environment.

Donate Here on the OneFamily Website
or
VENMO “2024 Donation” to: @onefamilyhwl
or
via Check to:
OneFamily / HeadwatersLife
6530 S Yosemite Street, Suite 310
Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Thank you for your support & encouragement!