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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
Recent From A Lasting Faith
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Most Recent Articles
Meeting Ms. Scarlett
I recently took my car in for a little tune up. While waiting, a mom sat down beside me, holding the cutest, chubbiest baby you’ve ever seen. Her name was Scarlet, and she had the personality to match the name. Only Ms. Scarlet could have rocked that pink polka-dotted onesie so well, chubby cheeks, chunky arms, and all. The wait for service was long, and the longer Scarlett’s mom rocked her, the sleepier she became. After fighting sleep for a while, her little eyelids finally surrendered, and Scarlett turned into a contented afternoon napper. As I watched sleepy little Scarlet, wrapped safely in her mom’s arms, I couldn’t help but wonder if I feel the same way in my father God’s arms. The Scriptures remind us that God holds, protects, and cares for us, even when we are most frightened. In other words, He holds us tight like Scarlett’s mom held her. Think about the promises of Proverbs 18:10: The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe and 2 Thessalonians 3:3: But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. In the same way that Scarlett’s mom protected, held, and assured her that she could sleep despite...
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Give Thanks and Make Memories to Last Forever
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV The month of November sparks thoughts of thanksgiving and gratefulness. Thirty days of practicing the art of giving thanks, which hopefully then creates a heart and attitude of appreciation that spills over into the next month, and then the new year. Just knowing that God is indeed good and that his love never ends should be the impetus for thanksgiving in all circumstances. Encourage a spirit of thanksgiving with your family each day this month and make memories with the ones you love, memories that will remind you to be grateful for days and months to come. Add some of the silly celebrations below to the festivities this month and make every day a holiday! Aviation History Month – Look in the library for biographies of famous aviation history makers, like Wilbur and Orville Wright, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Jacques and Joseph Montgolfier, Harriet Quimby, and others. Find out about their contributions to the aviation community. Then have fun with this airplane craft: Use paint or markers to decorate clothespins and crafts sticks. For each airplane, you’ll need three craft sticks, one clothespin, and one triangular-shaped tail piece cut from thick paper like poster-board. Glue one craft...
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The Praise of a Child
Choir members smiled in awe. The drummer couldn’t keep his eyes on the drums. Those blowing into brass instruments struggled to keep their lips pursed around the mouthpieces. The violinists peered over their music stands. I think I saw the glimmer of tears in the worship leader’s eyes. I know that mine were full! There she stood on the pew in the third row, one arm wrapped around her Mommy’s waist. Belting out “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”...
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When My Children Shake Me
“Are you sorry for snapping at me?” I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath. Shame washed over me as I replayed the outburst in my head. How was it possible that one three-year-old could make my blood boil so easily? I looked at my son, staring at me with his impossibly blue eyes. Waiting for an answer. Inner-Mary readied her list of reasons why her harsh reaction was justified: You’ve been pushing me all day. You’ve...
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Mary Magdalene’s Giant Leap
Hanging in the hallway leading down to our basement is the front page of a Chicago Tribune, dated July 21, 1969. The headline: “GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND.” This year, the United States celebrates 50 years since that incredible day when Neil Armstrong stepped on the lunar surface and announced, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Having majored in journalism, I collect famous front pages of newspapers. But if someone were to ask me...
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Turn Out the Lights or Let Them Shine?
I vividly recall a conversation in the women’s restroom among Christian women one chilly October many years ago. I was a new Christian, easily impressed by so many new ideas. They shared that on Halloween they would proudly keep their porch lights off, not offering candy to neighborhood children. As I thought about this, I wondered what Christ would do. As a child, I was among those who donned costumes and knocked on doors for candy. In my early...
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Helping After Disaster Strikes
When a natural disaster like a tornado, hurricane, or flood strikes it causes lots of damages to homes. People called disaster relief workers and case managers help out. They manage supplies and money that are donated so they can put everything to the best use. The following is a true story of a family in the Florida Keys that had their home damaged by a hurricane (from 52 Weekly Devotions for Families Called to Serve). Baby’s New Room Vernon...
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