JESUS ACT STICK DATES...LATELY

We love our Jesus Act Stick reward system.

We've used it for many years without wane and truly it's been a tremendous blessing for our family!

All of the kids down to our 2 year old earn sticks when we observe that they've exhibited selfless love or sacrificial behavior with a genuine heart. It's an honor to reward their kind actions. We display our Jesus Act Stick jars in a focal point on the piano where they can be visibly built into our daily life. I enjoy seeing with my eyes and allowing our children to notice tangibly the benefits of a loving heart. The jars serve as a reminder.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

John 13:34

We believe in the power of positive affirmation and encouragement and find that when we stop to point out our children's good fruit, they grow even more. Of course, parenting also involves pruning via discipline, but we find that when we emphasize the positive, we perpetuate more positive. Children and adults alike believe what's spoken into their lives (both positive and negative). This is why we are intentional to point out and reward Christlike actions with Jesus Act Sticks and one-on-one dates with Mom or Dad to follow. Kids are built up and quality time memories are made...it's a win, win!

Here's to documenting just a bit of our Jesus Act Stick dates...lately.

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For Aida's latest JAS date, she chose to go to the movie theater with her dad.

Getting in the holiday spirit, they saw Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas and then went out to lunch after.

As our little girl has become a young woman these days, all the more our dates with her are cherished.

We're so proud of you, Aida, and your servant heart for our family!

It's a pleasure to treat you when you offer so very much of yourself to all of us. We love you!

. . . . . .

We had the sweetest double date this week, Brodie, Nova, and I.

Sometimes the idea of sharing a JAS date day has benefits for bonding.

Brodie was so completely gentlemanly with his little sister as we ventured to the mall on a rainy day. He held her hand and enjoyed watching her and helping her. Though I'm decidedly not a mall person, I loved every minute of our time together!

We wandered around, enjoying time together. Brodie hand picked pieces off the Lego wall for a take home bucket and also compiled a secret Christmas gift for his sisters with his own money. He was so cute and thoughtful about the whole thing!

Afterward, they got a kids hot cocoa at Starbucks and enjoyed sipping it in the rain.

I absolutely adore these two and had an especially merry JAS date with them this time around!

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For Elka's latest JAS date, she had it in mind that the movie theater would

be the perfect idea for a cold wintry evening out with her daddy.

 Of course, they ate popcorn and candy galore!

They had a sweet and special time together, just the two of them.

We love you, Elka! Your servant heart in our family and home is extremely inspiring!!

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Next up was Noble and Daddy.

Although he accompanies his dad on many an errand, Noble was so excited for his date!

Noble is constantly doing sacrificial things and lending a helping hand, so honoring him with Jesus Act Sticks is easy. His sensitive heart felt bad for Boden who really wanted to go with them on their date, so he asked Daddy while they were out if he could bring him home some candy. That's so Noble! Even on his date, his big moment, he was thinking of others.

That's consistently the kind of guy Noble is.

For their date, they went to Chick-fil-A for lunch and talks (because food is the way to Noble's heart) and then they went to do some guy stuff on Daddy's car. Brodie is always so good about training his boys to be men. He takes time and is intentional to show them the ropes and involve them in the tasks of manhood so they will be prepared. He also gives bear hugs, holds hands, wrestles, and asks deep questions so our boys are accustomed to "going there" emotionally and readily. Noble and his brothers are extremely blessed to have a daddy like theirs! It's pretty clear that Noble gets that!!

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We are all so proud of Bea for earning her first Jesus Act Stick date this week!

Lucky me, I got to go and make my little Bea feel as special as she is!

We went shopping and Bea pushed a mini cart just her size. She tried on clothes and picked out things she liked.

She has distinctive taste in clothing (structured and tidy like her). She knows who she is which is very cute to observe.

Afterward, we got ice cream...vanilla. It was just as sweet as my time out with sweet Bea.

I'm so blessed by her servant heart for others and it was a joy to spend the afternoon with my girl.

(Bea loves her new backpack (as mini as her) and

most days can be seen around the house like this. :)) 

. . . . . .

The next date was Boden's and he chose to go to the pool with Daddy.

Apparently he didn't stop for one second the entire time they were there!

Daddy took him to get candy after. He always picks peanut M&Ms. :)

Boden, we adore your enthusiasm for life and people.

Your passion is contagious and we love your heart to help others.

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Next up (again!) was sweetheart, Nova, who has absolutely blossomed in maturity over the past few months. She has taken to caring for her younger siblings in a new way, also offering regularly to help around the house. It's not uncommon for her to ask, "What can I do to help you?" and then follow through with tasks. Nova is diligent and kind...which is why she has earned another JAS date so quickly. Considering she loves to dress up her trusty old bear that she has had since she was a baby, we wondered if she might enjoy a trip to Build-A-Bear, so we suggested it as an outing. She thought the idea was great!

Once she got there, it was all a bit intimidating and lucky Daddy
was the one to hold his little girl's hand and reassure her.

She chose an adorable bunny and carried her box to See's Candy
afterward for a lollipop (Daddy's favorite).

It all proved to be quite the adventure for precious Nova.

Since coming home with her bunny, she has cared for her new stuffed animal with the tenderness I'd expect from her when she's a mommy herself one day. Nova, your heart is beautiful and we are all blessed by how you love and serve our family everyday!

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For Olia's latest JAS date, she thought and thought about what she would like to do. She's easily pleased and not picky, which can make the choice difficult. We knew it was Mommy's turn to go with her (yay!), and after much consideration, she decided to go to Build-A-Bear like Nova so they could have matching bunnies. I thought that was a great idea for sweet Olia.

She's such a special friend!

I loved just chatting with her on the drive.

(I'll always remember my little girl like this...telling me what's in her heart.)

We made it to Build-A-Bear!

It's no secret I'm not a mall person, but to see Olia this lit up and

excited about her cuddly bunny was definitely worth it!

She had such a fun time and was so polite.

And when we got home, she and Nova colored their bunny houses for hours together!

We love you, dear Olia, and are so very grateful for your adorable and giving heart!

. . . . . .

India...

We love you so much!

Though she's still waiting for a full 10 Jesus Act Sticks, she did get a special reward outing with Mommy
since she's potty trained now! Woohoo! We're so proud of our girl and she was so proud of her date!

 . . . . . .

And, not to leave Beck out either, he was pretty excited about his
first big trail ride this past week with Big Sisters Aida and Bea.

He's still learning about lots of things, including actually enjoying outings
(He's more the homebody type. ;)), but this was just his speed.

We love you, Beck! With your sweet, sensitive heart,
I'm sure you'll earn many Jesus Act Sticks in due time!

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That's a wrap on our Jesus Act Stick dates...lately.
It's a delight to treat each child, honor their generous actions, and invest in our relationships.
I wonder what kinds of fun we all have coming next time around???

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
Colossians 3:23