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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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Most Recent Articles
A Lion at the Gate
I leaned back and stared up at the southeast corner of the Temple Mount, an imposing wall that loomed over us in the heart of Jerusalem. This corner of the Temple is where Satan is believed to have tempted Jesus as they stood on the pinnacle of the massive wall. “If you are the Son of God,” Satan said to Jesus, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Some argue that the southwest corner of the Temple Mount, not the southeast corner, would’ve been a more likely spot for this temptation, because there would’ve been a lot more people on that side to witness Jesus’s power. But whatever corner it might have been, these walls are staggering. They average roughly 40 feet in height and 8 feet in thickness, and the only way past the walls is through the historic gates. Jerusalem has been conquered and reconquered so many times throughout history that the number and names of the gates have changed again and again. But today the Old...
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The Flower Boxes
February is a big month for florists, and some will elevate their prices to take advantage of the captive market. If price determines value, a mid-February rose has more value than that of a May rose. This puts me in remembrance of an object lesson I witnessed as a twenty-year-old, one that I’ve never forgotten. It was (none of your business) years ago and I cannot recall the presenter, so I am unable to give credit. If you know, please tell me and I will attach credit. For now, I am going to call him, “Martin.” Martin stood at the front of our church and, on some music stands, lined up a number of flower boxes. You may know exactly the type of boxes I am describing; the type in which a dozen roses would be delivered. They were all the same size, but with many different decorations and color choices. All but one was very crisp, clean, and pretty. Beside the three pleasing-looking boxes was one that was damaged and soiled. Martin asked the audience, “Based on your assumptions about what is inside, which box would you choose?” He asked for honesty and then asked for a show of hands as he pointed to each of the colorful boxes. All three of the...
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You’re Still Happy with Me, Right?
I exited the room, arms full of folded towels. The goal was to put them in the linen closet and come back for the rest of the clothes. I couldn’t have been gone more than ten seconds. Sometimes ten seconds is all it takes. When I entered the living room, every piece of freshly folded laundry was strewn across the room. Shirts were on the hearth, pants were dangling off the sewing machine, and underwear littered the floor and...
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Are You Speaking Your Child’s Love Language?
I often look at my five children and revel at how different they are. I realize in my case we would expect that because they’re all adopted, but even between the biological siblings there are night and day differences. Between me and my own biological brother, there are night and day differences. I suppose this is no surprise as I’m well aware God made us each unique, but I still find it fascinating to dive into the inner workings...
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Two Great Love Stories
Jesus told us the two greatest commandments center around love. The first is to love God completely. The second is to love other people as we love ourselves. We see these commandments being lived out in two love stories. The book of Ruth shares a great love story about a poor woman named Ruth. She loved her mother-in-law, Naomi, and both were widowed. Their husbands had died. Ruth chose to stay with Naomi and to follow Naomi’s God. Ruth...
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Sunday Morning Chaos
As the alarm clock cracks the silence of the morning’s rest, I reluctantly sling the cool quilt off my person to shock myself awake. It’s Sunday morning once again. The children are running around the house in their pajamas—or lack thereof—ignoring my every command. The sweet drag of coffee from my favorite breakfast chalice will hopefully excavate the strength to wrestle my children into their Sunday’s best found on our last escapade to Kohl’s. That adventure of playing peek-a-boo...
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Taming the Tongue
Sometimes I just can’t control my tongue. It was not a good day. For whatever reason, we were just off. I was irritable and impatient. I found myself correcting every little infraction, every childish noise. The more I corrected, the more frustrated I became. And the more my kids acted up. After snapping at one of my children, I realized I needed help. This downward spiral was not going to improve without divine intervention. “Lord, please help me control...
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