Carlene Havel's Blog: Carlene, page 5
April 22, 2013
Sign Up to Win a Book
Two printed copies of "Daughter of the King" are available through a Goodreads giveaway. Sign up must be done before May 13th for you to have a chance to win. Women's lives were different more than three thousand years ago, but hearts are timeless. If you can't wait or you NEVER win anything, "Daughter of the King" is $2.99 at Amazon
http://goo.gl/5WLKj
.
Good luck! Carlene Havel
Good luck! Carlene Havel
April 15, 2013
Feeling Shished Today?
My little brother and I never agreed much on toys. I loved paper dolls. He often chose to play with the container instead of the toy inside. One of his favorites was a large cardboard box he could sit in. Once he managed to close the lid, he would proclaim that he was the television or a radio, demanding that I come and turn him on (that phrase had no double entendre back then—or if it did we didn’t know it). Once the imaginary switch was flipped, he would entertain the family with his singing and crazy ads. Yet he was too shy to put on a show when he could be seen. Every time I hear the phrase “thinking outside the box,” I remember George and the clever ideas that emanated from inside his cardboard box.
Our MOST favorite plaything? Words, hands down. Even as a pre-schooler, George was the master of the Spoonerism (think “sending a twit via Tweeter”). We didn’t know the technical term, but his linguistic twists made us laugh nevertheless. George created his own songs and lyrics—still does. He also made up his own words, some of which have become firmly entrenched in our familial lexicon. For example: A hug is just a hug, but a great, loving bear hug is a “shusha.” We always give and get shushas at family gatherings!
The most useful word George invented is “shish”. To be shished is to be embarrassed, flabbergasted or speechless, maybe a combination of all three. When feeling totally shished, a shusha is the best antidote.
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
Our MOST favorite plaything? Words, hands down. Even as a pre-schooler, George was the master of the Spoonerism (think “sending a twit via Tweeter”). We didn’t know the technical term, but his linguistic twists made us laugh nevertheless. George created his own songs and lyrics—still does. He also made up his own words, some of which have become firmly entrenched in our familial lexicon. For example: A hug is just a hug, but a great, loving bear hug is a “shusha.” We always give and get shushas at family gatherings!
The most useful word George invented is “shish”. To be shished is to be embarrassed, flabbergasted or speechless, maybe a combination of all three. When feeling totally shished, a shusha is the best antidote.
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
April 8, 2013
Wish I Had Said That!
Why do some brief quotes assume an identity all their own, becoming part of the cultural mainstream? Probably because they capture a universal truth we recognize and identify with.
You probably recognize this little rhyme, for example:
Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone;
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Do you know who wrote them? Or when? The author was Ella Wheeler Wilcox, and she penned those now-famous lines in 1883. I sometimes think of this verse when people ask why my books always feature a happy ending. It may not be the fairy-tale “happily ever after”, but there’s always happy for now and hope for tomorrow. As Ms Wilcox so cleverly stated, happiness is for sharing.
Carlene Havel
Author, "A Hero's Homecoming", co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
You probably recognize this little rhyme, for example:
Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone;
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Do you know who wrote them? Or when? The author was Ella Wheeler Wilcox, and she penned those now-famous lines in 1883. I sometimes think of this verse when people ask why my books always feature a happy ending. It may not be the fairy-tale “happily ever after”, but there’s always happy for now and hope for tomorrow. As Ms Wilcox so cleverly stated, happiness is for sharing.
Carlene Havel
Author, "A Hero's Homecoming", co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
April 1, 2013
Do you save paper clips?
My mother's mother was a frugal woman. She never spent money foolishly. Her trash can never seemed to be full, not surprising for a woman who saved bread wrappers, twist ties, string, grocery bags...well, you get the idea. If a plastic container had a lid, then it needed to be washed and kept for reuse. Black-eyed peas might well go into the fridge in a repurposed sour cream carton, along with a dab of ham in a butter dish. Bango darned socks. mended underwear, and patched clothing. She didn't know the term "carbon footprint" and possibly didn't have one. I'm fairly certain she would disapprove of my habit of purchasing bottled water, but you'd never convince her I also buy a can of compessed air now and then.
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
March 25, 2013
Meet My New Friend P. Ryan Hembree
Thank you Carlene Havel for inviting me as a guest on your blog. Welcome Viewers. I’m P. Ryan Hembree from Beatrice, Nebraska. I’m introducing my newest novella, Convict Dad.
The story. As a child, Fae Kardell stands helpless while police handcuff her father and drag him away to a police car. Her father is convicted of murders that he didn’t commit.
From behind prison walls, Royce Kardell finds a way to cope with is incarceration and maintain an active role in his family.
Fifteen years later when Fae returns to her hometown to close the family home after her mother’s death, she hears a deathbed confession which proves her father’s innocence. As the real killer lurks nearby, details of the girls’ deaths surface, but is it enough to justify her dad’s release from prison?
If she pushes for a new trial and she succeeds, her father could be freed—or—if she fails, he could get the death penalty.
The story behind the story. My father was a strong figure in our lives. No, he was never arrested or in prison, but he always found a way to minister to all of his children long after we left home.
My father lived into his nineties. As a meteorologist, he and I chased tornadoes across the prairie before anyone knew that was a thing to do. He never put me in danger, but when a storm developed, we’d jump in our World War II jeep and follow the storm clouds. At nine years old, my job was to put film in the Brownie movie camera and wind it up. I’d hand the camera to my dad, and he’d begin filming funnel clouds as they connected with the earth and developed into rope or wedge tornadoes. Once he got the direction calculated, we bugged out of there. He would mail the rolls of film off to the Department of Interior and later be paid for the storms he captured on film.
Since we were never in any danger, I didn’t mind the adventure. In our large family of seven children at the time, for once I wasn’t part of a group activity. I had my father all to myself. He was always a strong force in our lives and through our mother’s death when I was eleven and many years later. I had the honor of caring for him the last years of his life.
He dedicated his life to God when he turned eighty-nine and spent his last two years in constant prayer for his children.
A father is a strong figure in our families and our society. Even in families where the father is absent, Christ fills that role and guides and loves us throughout our lives.
You’re invited to follow my weekly serial stories on my blog at www.pryanhembree.com.
The story. As a child, Fae Kardell stands helpless while police handcuff her father and drag him away to a police car. Her father is convicted of murders that he didn’t commit.
From behind prison walls, Royce Kardell finds a way to cope with is incarceration and maintain an active role in his family.
Fifteen years later when Fae returns to her hometown to close the family home after her mother’s death, she hears a deathbed confession which proves her father’s innocence. As the real killer lurks nearby, details of the girls’ deaths surface, but is it enough to justify her dad’s release from prison?
If she pushes for a new trial and she succeeds, her father could be freed—or—if she fails, he could get the death penalty.
The story behind the story. My father was a strong figure in our lives. No, he was never arrested or in prison, but he always found a way to minister to all of his children long after we left home.
My father lived into his nineties. As a meteorologist, he and I chased tornadoes across the prairie before anyone knew that was a thing to do. He never put me in danger, but when a storm developed, we’d jump in our World War II jeep and follow the storm clouds. At nine years old, my job was to put film in the Brownie movie camera and wind it up. I’d hand the camera to my dad, and he’d begin filming funnel clouds as they connected with the earth and developed into rope or wedge tornadoes. Once he got the direction calculated, we bugged out of there. He would mail the rolls of film off to the Department of Interior and later be paid for the storms he captured on film.
Since we were never in any danger, I didn’t mind the adventure. In our large family of seven children at the time, for once I wasn’t part of a group activity. I had my father all to myself. He was always a strong force in our lives and through our mother’s death when I was eleven and many years later. I had the honor of caring for him the last years of his life.
He dedicated his life to God when he turned eighty-nine and spent his last two years in constant prayer for his children.
A father is a strong figure in our families and our society. Even in families where the father is absent, Christ fills that role and guides and loves us throughout our lives.
You’re invited to follow my weekly serial stories on my blog at www.pryanhembree.com.
March 21, 2013
WHAT A DEAL
Book Lovers & Bargain Hunters, Daughter of the King is available through Amazon at
http://goo.gl/5WLKj
for only $2.99.
Excerpts from reviews of Daughter of the King:
“I could not put the book down” – KJ
“This book is reminiscent of The Red Tent. It is well written, descriptive and intriguing…” – Victoria Pitts Caine
“…a beautiful fictional story rooted deeply is scripture. Drawing the reader into the culture and lives of the ancient world….This book will leave the reader thinking about it long after the final page …” Fiction with Flair Reviews.
Princess Michal lived in a day when fathers arranged their daughers' marriages. Yet the Bible reveals Michal loved David, the shepherd boy who would become king. Even more surprising, the princess had the good fortune to become David’s wife. Could she persuade David to love her back? Did he want to be her husband, or was he more interested in becoming King Saul’s son-in-law? The authors took the outline for Daughter of the King from the Old Testament, filling in the gaps from their own research and imaginations.
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
for only $2.99.
Excerpts from reviews of Daughter of the King:
“I could not put the book down” – KJ
“This book is reminiscent of The Red Tent. It is well written, descriptive and intriguing…” – Victoria Pitts Caine
“…a beautiful fictional story rooted deeply is scripture. Drawing the reader into the culture and lives of the ancient world….This book will leave the reader thinking about it long after the final page …” Fiction with Flair Reviews.
Princess Michal lived in a day when fathers arranged their daughers' marriages. Yet the Bible reveals Michal loved David, the shepherd boy who would become king. Even more surprising, the princess had the good fortune to become David’s wife. Could she persuade David to love her back? Did he want to be her husband, or was he more interested in becoming King Saul’s son-in-law? The authors took the outline for Daughter of the King from the Old Testament, filling in the gaps from their own research and imaginations.
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
March 18, 2013
Looking for Christian Fiction?
Searching for a book that won't corrode your brain cells? I recommend a relatively new website, Fiction with Flair Christian Book Reviews, found at
http://www.fictionwithflair.blogspot.... . Stephenia McGee has posted insightful reviews during the first three months of 2013, and I have every hope she will continue this endeavor.
In the interest of full disclosure, my novel was recently reviewed at this site. However, I’m certain my objectivity is not in the least bit affected by Ms McGee’s glowing endorsement. If you’d like to test your own implacable inability to be influenced, use this addy to go directly to Fiction With Flair’s review of “Daughter of the King” - http://www.fictionwithflair.blogspot.... .
Enjoy the website, the reviews, and—most of all—the books.
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
http://www.fictionwithflair.blogspot.... . Stephenia McGee has posted insightful reviews during the first three months of 2013, and I have every hope she will continue this endeavor.
In the interest of full disclosure, my novel was recently reviewed at this site. However, I’m certain my objectivity is not in the least bit affected by Ms McGee’s glowing endorsement. If you’d like to test your own implacable inability to be influenced, use this addy to go directly to Fiction With Flair’s review of “Daughter of the King” - http://www.fictionwithflair.blogspot.... .
Enjoy the website, the reviews, and—most of all—the books.
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
March 5, 2013
Near Death Experience
Our speaker this past Sunday was none other than Don Piper. He mentioned his near-death experience, an event he incorporated into his best-selling book, “90 Minutes in Heaven”, but that wasn’t the centerpiece of his sermon. No, he preached a great, old-fashioned salvation message.
As a natural skeptic, I must admit in the distant past I doubted all NDEs accounts. I’ve mellowed some with age, having seen and heard a great many things I once believed impossible. Before discounting all NDE reports, let’s keep in mind Paul recounts a very similar-sounding experience in his New Testament writings. If it was possible for Paul and John to get a glimpse of heaven and continue (or return to) his earthly life, then who’s to say a 21st century human being could not receive the same vision?
I am totally convinced of this: Don Piper reports the truth as he understands it. He was the pastor of an obscure little church before the accident that caused him to be pronounced dead on the scene. He spent more than a year in the hospital and has endured more than thirty separate surgeries. I’m certain that past was not manufactured because my pastor was friends with Don Piper long before he became a famous author – that’s why our church gets an annual visit from the now sought-after speaker. So I’m keeping an open mind, not exactly wishing for my own NDE, but not totally opposing the idea either.
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
As a natural skeptic, I must admit in the distant past I doubted all NDEs accounts. I’ve mellowed some with age, having seen and heard a great many things I once believed impossible. Before discounting all NDE reports, let’s keep in mind Paul recounts a very similar-sounding experience in his New Testament writings. If it was possible for Paul and John to get a glimpse of heaven and continue (or return to) his earthly life, then who’s to say a 21st century human being could not receive the same vision?
I am totally convinced of this: Don Piper reports the truth as he understands it. He was the pastor of an obscure little church before the accident that caused him to be pronounced dead on the scene. He spent more than a year in the hospital and has endured more than thirty separate surgeries. I’m certain that past was not manufactured because my pastor was friends with Don Piper long before he became a famous author – that’s why our church gets an annual visit from the now sought-after speaker. So I’m keeping an open mind, not exactly wishing for my own NDE, but not totally opposing the idea either.
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
February 25, 2013
Needing a New Outfit?
Looking to add to your wardrobe? Be glad you live now instead of a few thousand years ago. Imagine not being able to walk into a department store or boutique and sort through racks of ready-to-wear. Clothing requires fabric, and fabric is made from fiber. The choice a few centuries back might be plant fiber from flax or cotton, or hair from animals such as sheep, goats, or occasionally camels. Before the industrial revolution, these fibers had to be processed by hand and spun into twine or thread, then woven or knitted into a length of fabric. Okay, NOW you’re ready to start making your clothing, by hand of course. Or maybe you'd weave a length of fabric and think of imaginative ways to wrap the fabric over and around your body. Garments were precious possessions, often counted among the spoils of war.
Wool takes dyes much easier than linen, which is made from flax. Nowadays we think of wool as a winter fabric. However, if it’s spun very fine a skillful weaver can create a lightweight fabric that is comfortable in warm climates. Probably tropical weight wool is the closest modern equivalent.
How about some color? The ancients used whatever they could find to create dyes, including plant, animal, and mineral substances. Blue was probably the most popular color because it’s the easiest dye to create from the natural ingredients they had handy. Purple has become known as a “royal” color since it was expensive to make. Originally, purple came from mollusks found in/around the Mediterranean Sea.
Scholars think Hebrew women of antiquity dressed more colorfully than their men. Poor people such as shepherds tended to have shorter garments—less fabric required. Wealthy folk had more elaborately adorned clothing. Hems seem to have been the focus of embroidered embellishment. The Bible mentions a garment suitable for the king’s virgin daughter to wear, but does not go into detail. Perhaps we can conclude from that quote that clothing could indicate gender, marital status, and social rank. Too bad they didn’t have cell phone cameras to leave us some pictures!
In the final analysis, we don’t really know. An educated guess is still a guess. The only people who knew for certain how the ancients lived have been in their graves for centuries. So we our imaginations to write and read books, such as "Daughter of the King".
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
Wool takes dyes much easier than linen, which is made from flax. Nowadays we think of wool as a winter fabric. However, if it’s spun very fine a skillful weaver can create a lightweight fabric that is comfortable in warm climates. Probably tropical weight wool is the closest modern equivalent.
How about some color? The ancients used whatever they could find to create dyes, including plant, animal, and mineral substances. Blue was probably the most popular color because it’s the easiest dye to create from the natural ingredients they had handy. Purple has become known as a “royal” color since it was expensive to make. Originally, purple came from mollusks found in/around the Mediterranean Sea.
Scholars think Hebrew women of antiquity dressed more colorfully than their men. Poor people such as shepherds tended to have shorter garments—less fabric required. Wealthy folk had more elaborately adorned clothing. Hems seem to have been the focus of embroidered embellishment. The Bible mentions a garment suitable for the king’s virgin daughter to wear, but does not go into detail. Perhaps we can conclude from that quote that clothing could indicate gender, marital status, and social rank. Too bad they didn’t have cell phone cameras to leave us some pictures!
In the final analysis, we don’t really know. An educated guess is still a guess. The only people who knew for certain how the ancients lived have been in their graves for centuries. So we our imaginations to write and read books, such as "Daughter of the King".
Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS
February 15, 2013
Meet My Friend Victoria
My guest blogger today is Victoria Peace Green, author of “Give Me Five for Fangs, Feathers, and Faith! A Devotional for Tweenagers.” Although this book was written for tweens, I’m enjoying reading it because it contains fascinating information about animals. “Give Me Five for Fangs, Feathers, and Faith! A Devotional for Tweenagers” would be a fantastic resource for home schoolers. You can follow Victoria’s blog at
http://victoriapeacegreen.tateauthor....
Here's a sample of what she has to say:
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR TWEEN’S GREATEST FEARS?
Our earliest painful memories in childhood often influence the way we look at injustices and pain as adults. When I was 10 years old, my dog became lost. In those days, our pets roamed the neighborhoods so we had a great expanse to cover in order to find her. All I could do or think about was to find our dog. We looked in all the familiar places that she would like to sleep and places she would retreat to when too many of us kids were around! But all our efforts brought empty and extremely sad results. That feeling I carried for many years. I kept thinking of how scared and afraid my dog must have been.
Now, as a seasoned adult that same emotion resurfaces when I hear about lost children, taken children or rejected children. Psychologists have discovered that one of a tween’s greatest fears is: “What if I do not find friends; what if no one likes me. It is like I would be lost.” That is a huge red flag for those of us with tween’s. Just think of how we can be used of God to help our child make and keep friends; friends that he/she will remember with good memories.
Friendships (social relationships) are the core of the human experience here on earth. Tween’s need healthy friendships as they move out of childhood and into the teenage years! How easily do our tween’s make friends? How can our tween’s find the tools to be a friend, receive friendship, and still be the individual God created? Some healthy strategies below give us comfort as we let God direct our path to help our tween’s.
TAKE TIME TO DISCUSS with your tween that making friends takes some work. Teaching God’s principals of other-oriented actions is a sure way to help them see the fruit of nurturing friendships. Reminding our children that prayer is the beginning. Pray together with your tween for a friend to come into your school or group. Together show your tween the 9 fruits of the Spirit. Each one of those virtues are tools of other-oriented ways to find and keep a friend. Remind your tween that certain behaviors can scare potential friends away. A bad attitude, a tattle tale, the way our tween dress will send messages to others, Does your tween smile, and do they gossip or lie? Does your tween listen, look others in the eye or do they stare down at the floor or maybe keep head-phones plugged in their ears. Do they resent others for their differences or does your tween find a way to include others?
HELP YOUR TWEEN INCLUDE friends in family activities like a movie night or ice cream. A sleep-over is a great way for tween’s to show others their own home life. Let your tween know when YOU like one of their friends. “I like how ( ) asked you to play after school today.” “It was nice of ( ) to help you clean up after you played video games together.”
POPULARITY IS NOT THE KEY to genuine and healthy friendships- the quality of the relationship is the key. We may or may not have been ‘popular’ and how ever that is the case can be a detriment to our influence in our tween’s healthy friendships. Best advice is to allow our tween’s God-given gifts and talents to help them find those quality friendships. Our support and direction are just that- but God has placed them on a bent that only He can grow within them.
ACTIVITIES in what our tween finds fun and interesting will help them find those good friends with the same interests. They will challenge one another’s trust and faithfulness as they work those 9 fruits of the Spirit into those activities. Encourage your tween to make friends with those of likeminded-ness as well as those that have other interests. Our adult world is a world of diversity and the sooner our tween experiences this, the easier adult life in college and career will be. Their friends do not need to come from one social group.
WE NEED TO BE GOOD LISTENERS as they share about their day. In fact a quiet tween is a red flag. Listen to their concerns and listen for changes in attitudes. Tween’s are naturally moody, dramatic and difficult, but when they exhibit a new behavior-trace where it came from. Active listening can head-off a wrong way-thinking on their part.
TOXIC FRIENDS need to be pointed out early. Tween’s need to be directed to know what is wrong and right in friends. What is a real friend we can ask them? We can role play with our child. A real friend is kind, encouraging, doesn’t lie, finds time for you. A bad friend will discourage, not think about your best interest but want to get you in trouble, bully you, gossip about you.
AND ALWAYS let our tween know that we are 'there' 24/7 and all that they are concerned with. How can we get them to believe this? Being transparent, open and honest with them about our own life shows them we are a person with real faults and victories. Let them discover what they share with us, stays with us and that we are true to our word. Our tween’s will soon be our teenagers- with God’s wisdom and direction their years will find them with good friends!
*For more info on tweens please visit: http://tweenparenting.about.com/od/so...
"Give Me Five for Fangs, Feathers, and Faith! A Devotional for Tweenagers" is available at these sites: htttp://www.bn.com
http:/www.amazon.com
http://www.christianbook.com
http://lifeway.com
http://www.tatepublishing.com
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR TWEEN’S GREATEST FEARS?
Our earliest painful memories in childhood often influence the way we look at injustices and pain as adults. When I was 10 years old, my dog became lost. In those days, our pets roamed the neighborhoods so we had a great expanse to cover in order to find her. All I could do or think about was to find our dog. We looked in all the familiar places that she would like to sleep and places she would retreat to when too many of us kids were around! But all our efforts brought empty and extremely sad results. That feeling I carried for many years. I kept thinking of how scared and afraid my dog must have been.
Now, as a seasoned adult that same emotion resurfaces when I hear about lost children, taken children or rejected children. Psychologists have discovered that one of a tween’s greatest fears is: “What if I do not find friends; what if no one likes me. It is like I would be lost.” That is a huge red flag for those of us with tween’s. Just think of how we can be used of God to help our child make and keep friends; friends that he/she will remember with good memories.
Friendships (social relationships) are the core of the human experience here on earth. Tween’s need healthy friendships as they move out of childhood and into the teenage years! How easily do our tween’s make friends? How can our tween’s find the tools to be a friend, receive friendship, and still be the individual God created? Some healthy strategies below give us comfort as we let God direct our path to help our tween’s.
TAKE TIME TO DISCUSS with your tween that making friends takes some work. Teaching God’s principals of other-oriented actions is a sure way to help them see the fruit of nurturing friendships. Reminding our children that prayer is the beginning. Pray together with your tween for a friend to come into your school or group. Together show your tween the 9 fruits of the Spirit. Each one of those virtues are tools of other-oriented ways to find and keep a friend. Remind your tween that certain behaviors can scare potential friends away. A bad attitude, a tattle tale, the way our tween dress will send messages to others, Does your tween smile, and do they gossip or lie? Does your tween listen, look others in the eye or do they stare down at the floor or maybe keep head-phones plugged in their ears. Do they resent others for their differences or does your tween find a way to include others?
HELP YOUR TWEEN INCLUDE friends in family activities like a movie night or ice cream. A sleep-over is a great way for tween’s to show others their own home life. Let your tween know when YOU like one of their friends. “I like how ( ) asked you to play after school today.” “It was nice of ( ) to help you clean up after you played video games together.”
POPULARITY IS NOT THE KEY to genuine and healthy friendships- the quality of the relationship is the key. We may or may not have been ‘popular’ and how ever that is the case can be a detriment to our influence in our tween’s healthy friendships. Best advice is to allow our tween’s God-given gifts and talents to help them find those quality friendships. Our support and direction are just that- but God has placed them on a bent that only He can grow within them.
ACTIVITIES in what our tween finds fun and interesting will help them find those good friends with the same interests. They will challenge one another’s trust and faithfulness as they work those 9 fruits of the Spirit into those activities. Encourage your tween to make friends with those of likeminded-ness as well as those that have other interests. Our adult world is a world of diversity and the sooner our tween experiences this, the easier adult life in college and career will be. Their friends do not need to come from one social group.
WE NEED TO BE GOOD LISTENERS as they share about their day. In fact a quiet tween is a red flag. Listen to their concerns and listen for changes in attitudes. Tween’s are naturally moody, dramatic and difficult, but when they exhibit a new behavior-trace where it came from. Active listening can head-off a wrong way-thinking on their part.
TOXIC FRIENDS need to be pointed out early. Tween’s need to be directed to know what is wrong and right in friends. What is a real friend we can ask them? We can role play with our child. A real friend is kind, encouraging, doesn’t lie, finds time for you. A bad friend will discourage, not think about your best interest but want to get you in trouble, bully you, gossip about you.
AND ALWAYS let our tween know that we are 'there' 24/7 and all that they are concerned with. How can we get them to believe this? Being transparent, open and honest with them about our own life shows them we are a person with real faults and victories. Let them discover what they share with us, stays with us and that we are true to our word. Our tween’s will soon be our teenagers- with God’s wisdom and direction their years will find them with good friends!
*For more info on tweens please visit: http://tweenparenting.about.com/od/so...
"Give Me Five for Fangs, Feathers, and Faith! A Devotional for Tweenagers" is available at these sites: htttp://www.bn.com
http:/www.amazon.com
http://www.christianbook.com
http://lifeway.com
http://www.tatepublishing.com
