Our oldest child will turn 24 in a couple of weeks, and our youngest turned 6 in January. To say that we have a huge age range in our family would be a big understatement.

I have been surprised to learn of how many families face this dynamic in our current culture.

Many people have asked questions about how we make it work, or what the challenges are that we face. These questions are often filled with a great deal of curiosity and wonder.

For us in Rossiterville, it is the norm and we can’t imagine our family any other way.

​We agree that the blessings far out way the challenges.

Let me share with you today a few of the blessings we have discovered along the way.

Culture is quickly sifting all around us. This question has crossed my mind frequently, “Will my kids be able to stand for truth in their generation?” How sad it would be to have invested years of training and prayer only to see the ground of their hearts surrendered to the devices of this world and its philosophy.

​To help gain wisdom and godly counsel, I began reading a book by Genesis apologists, Ken Ham entitled, Will They Stand: Preparing Kids to Face the Giants. It is packed full of wisdom from the Word of God as well as life examples from Dr. Ham’s childhood. 

​In the opening chapters, Ken Ham puts quite a bit of emphasis on his own upbringing. He references his parent’s character, love for the Word, and willingness to swim against culture even in the church. Ham acknowledges that his parent’s life choices aimed his life on a course of fearing God and standing on truth. ​

• Mom, I have the best ninja skills! 
• Did you see my awesome painting? 
• Can you watch me do my cartwheel? 
• Look at the amazing tent I made! 

Children seem to have no reservations when boasting about their many accomplishments and talents. Although we see flaws and imperfections, their little eyes are focused on a much better version. Boasting as a child comes with a certain amount of boldness and enthusiasm that we simply can’t get away with at any other time in our lives.

​Clayton, our five-year-old, will often grab my face with his sweet chubby hands and pull me towards him to make sure that I notice all the wonders he is about to perform. 

Jingles, slogans, catchphrases are a part of our everyday media-saturated world. They can get us to buy anything from the latest electronics to the newest menu item at our favorite fast-food restaurant. Advertisers know what we should as well: You only need a small number of words to relay a really big message. 

As we look ahead to turning the page on this year, we have already begun discussing what our family theme will be for the coming year. We often choose a word for our year with a matching verse. This year, we actually chose a song, “It is well with my soul,” that went along with our word which was “Good.” Little did we know how fitting this would be for the challenging and uncomfortable circumstances we would encounter. God’s goodness, and the reality that His peace is always available even in the darkest of times, allowed us to say no matter what, It was well, it is good.

Welcome to "Our Words Matter" a 5-part mini-series about using our words wisely and avoiding careless words.

​Last month we looked at The Sin of Careless Words. Today, we're looking at What Are Careless Words? Over the next few months (the last Friday of each month) we will also look at:

• Where Do Careless Words Come From?
• What Do Careless Words Do?
• How Do I Avoid Careless Words?

​
​I hope you'll join us for "Our Words Matter" because they do! 

Careless words are those that are spoken rashly. They lack wise consideration and are often impulsive, thoughtless, and insensitive. In short, careless words are those that happen when we just don’t think. 

Let's be "Anxious for Nothing: Replacing Worry with Joy." Well, that’s easy to say.

​I know from personal experience that it is rarely helpful for someone to tell me "Don’t worry, be happy." When I allow anxiety into my heart, it becomes a crippling force that controls my moods, my words, and my actions. I don’t want to be told to "Let go and let God" when that happens. I want to curl up in a ball and binge-watch television shows until I can no longer escape reality. Then I want to cry and complain and feel sorry for myself.

​This past week, I have been living under the control of anxiety. Changes at work, a brief sickness, and some disappointments created inside me a feeling of emptiness, fear, and unease. I allowed my mind to dwell on things unlovely and untrue.

Christmas will be here before we know it! It seems to creep up on me sooner than expected every year and I am rarely prepared for it.

This year, however, our family is doing something a bit different. We are not giving gifts. Instead, we're doing experiences and having a family photo made.

All fourteen of us met at a local farm with our photographer, Katelyn, and afterwards for a family dinner. The dinner was one of those "experiences" as we spent the day making several different kinds of pasta for it.

​I know that some of you are already well into shopping for Christmas. Maybe, you even have all of your shopping done. But if you are one of those, like me, who wait till the last minute, have I got a sweet deal for you! It's like going to the mall (remember those days?) but better!