Goals

 Luke 2:52 it says: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

We have started something new in our family that I am loving. We have used this scripture to start new family goals. There are four things the scripture lists that Jesus grew in: wisdom, stature, favour with God & favour with man. At the first Family Home Evening of each month we set our goals in how we are each going to grow in those four areas. The boys are responsible for coming up with their own goals. We set our goals & then decide what the reward will be at the end of the month. This month the boys decided on laser tag! If during the month they mess up on one of their goals there is a repentance process!!! (This is courtesy of James!) They have to drink half of a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar! For each offense the amount of vinegar grows! Carter has only had to do this once!!! Once was enough for him and McKay! McKay almost threw up just watching Carter swallow it! This month the boys goals were:

McKay:

Wisdom: Perfect his reading on his 10 new Mercer Mayer books.

Stature: No junk food.

In Favour with God: Say better personal prayers twice a day.

In Favour with Man: Take treats around to neighbors once a week. Help a widow once a week.

Carter:

Wisdom: Learn 12 letters. Sounds, recognition & able to write them.

Stature: No junk food.

In Favour with God: No bad words.

In Favour with Man: Take treats around to neighbors once a week. Help a widow once a week.

It has really been a good experience in our home. For the first day or two I had to tell them what was and was not junk food... and what were healthy snacks they could have. But, after a couple of days they didn't even ask for junk food anymore. Carter will just go to the fridge & grab an apple. McKay even informed me that he isn't drinking chocolate milk at school! When McKay says his prayers he says them out loud. And I have to admit that I love to stand outside his room & listen to his sweet little prayers! It brings tears to my eyes as I listen to him ask his Father in Heaven for help in things going on in his day. Carter for the first couple days was asking if just about every word was a bad word! But, he has it down now! He did slip once! He did know a couple bad words... and used to say them for the shock factor! But, he has decided that they aren't worth vinegar! Tomorrow morning James is taking McKay & Carter with him to change a widow's oil in her car. They have been talking about it all week and are so excited to go!

James & I have our goals to & the boys know what they are and are always asking us how we are doing on them. My "wisdom" goal is to make two new recipes a week. The boys will ask me in the morning if I am cooking one of my new recipes for dinner that night. It has become a true family affair!

It's my hope that at the end of the month that the boys will keep on doing the things they have learned over the last month. That their goals will become more natural to them. And as we set new goals that they will just continue to grow one little goal at a time!