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Read MoreAre your parenting batteries depleted?
Could you use some encouragement and inspiration to help you on the parenting journey? Would you like some tips and ideas for ways to have fun and to make memories with your child? Then you’re at the right place and we’re glad you’ve joined us! Eighteen years sounds like a long time—but you really have just 18 summers . . . and we want to help you make the most of them.
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Read MoreSo how did the Just 18 Summers® brand come about?
My pastor, Rev. Ralph Sexton, dedicated a baby at church one Sunday. As the parents walked off the platform, he said, “Don’t forget, you have just 18 summers. Take time to make some memories.” Whew, the poignancy of that slammed into me and I knew at that moment that God wanted me to do something with that thought.
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Read MoreWe want Just 18 Summers® to be about YOU.
We’d love to hear from you with your thoughts, ideas, and ways we can help you on the parenting journey.
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Read MorePlease help us spread the word about Just 18 Summers®!
Post about us on Facebook and Twitter. Tell your friends and family. Tell your pastors, family ministry leaders, and organizations about Just 18 Summers. Let’s encourage and strengthen families across our nation and the world!
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Recent From A Happy Home
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Recent From A Cherished Family
Most Recent Articles
Home vs. Heart Improvement: Keeping Families Strong
I recently journeyed a bit late to church on a Sunday morning, but had no trouble finding parking. I was quite dismayed to find the parking lot so empty. The frustrating rain clouds from an already soggy spring were supposed to fade by noon, but they had obviously kept many families home from worship. I couldn’t help but feel discouraged, as I wanted to see more of my church family. Following the morning service, I joined family for lunch and then stopped by the local home improvement store to remedy the outdated light bulbs that had blown that morning while attending to the hair and make-up. But as I drove into the lot, I quickly realized I had a problem. I couldn’t find a parking place! Rain clouds had given way to the sun, and every family in my region had apparently decided that now was the time to load up on mulch, flowers, and tools. Each row before and behind me was full of cars, trucks, and vans, loading up with necessary spring essentials. After a lap or two with my car, I pulled over to the side and stopped, realizing that something wasn’t right. I couldn’t make myself fight for an empty parking spot, nor could I justify throwing my energies into...
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Unexpected Encouragement
When you’re a mom, it seems you always have a child in tow. Moms are experts at grocery shopping, renewing car tags, buying birthday gifts, or even going to personal doctor’s appointments with a child tagging along. As I was preparing for an upcoming yearly physical, I had to visit the lab a week early to have blood drawn. When I arrived, the lab technician asked for a urine sample before drawing my blood. My daughter, Grace, who was four at the time, followed me into the restroom. After shutting the door behind us, I turned to tell Grace not to touch anything. “What you doin’ Mama,” she asked me. I told her I had to go potty in a cup, just like she does when she goes to the doctor. Grace was very familiar with going potty in a cup. She stuck out her hand, and said very matter-of-factly, “I’ll hold the cup for you!” (Since that is my job when I take her to the doctor.) I politely declined, so she said, “I’ll just stand over here and cheer for you instead.” Grace realized there are two important jobs when we have a doctor’s visit – the cup holder and the cheer leader. I hadn’t realized how much of a cheer leader...
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How to Talk to Your Young Children About Abortion
The word “abortion” is a regular part of my vocabulary. I’ve worked for my local pregnancy center for six years, spoken in front of crowds about abortion, given presentations on how to defend the pro-life position, and written many articles on the topic. But the first time my 4-year-old looked me in the eye and asked me what abortion was, I froze. How could I even begin to explain such a horrible reality to my son? His questions were...
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Praying Against the Distractions in My Child’s Life
My dad had many pet phrases, and this time of year we’d always hear him announce, “Spring has sprung.” Even in colder climates, kids everywhere have been infected by spring fever. For my kids that was just one more distraction in a world that seemed dedicated to sidetrack my children—and me—from staying on task. That led me to begin praying against the distractions in my kids’ lives—particularly the ones that pulled them away from following God. As I began...
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Discipling Future Missionaries
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15; NASB “There are only two kinds of people,” he leaned toward our three children. He whispered and his eyes sparkled. One half finger wagged at them and how cool is a cut off finger after all? Awed, they devoured each word from a man they considered as old as the Apostle Paul himself and every bit as godly. “People are either...
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Create an A-MAY-zing Month of Celebrations with Family
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 ESV This just MAY be the best month so far this year for family fun and adventure! Spring has completely sprung in most parts of the country, with some lingering snow banks that just won’t seem to go away in a few places. Gorgeous flowers dot God’s artist’s palette in every color and hue. Fresh vegetables line the farmers’ fields...
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A Tale of Two Tombs
Our tour group gathered beneath a canopy at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, listening to our guide on a beautiful, shirt-sleeve day. To one side, we could hear the singing of another church group gathered near the tomb, and to the other side was the cacophony of the city—traffic horns and the constant rumble of construction machinery. Although we often think of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, as being isolated from the bustle of the city, the Romans had...
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