“The Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'”
~Acts 21:13~

The Joyful Hearts overnight is happening this weekend. I still need to get some apples and oranges for their bags. Dad and the kids are currently over there, minus the one who’s here to help with the dog. All of our kids have ended up volunteering early though the recommended age for doing so is being in high school. Number one, they’ve needed the help, and number two, they’ve seemed mature enough to do so.

My daughter was the only one, who in retrospect, was too young. I think we sent her around fourth or fifth grade and then for several years she preferred to not go back. The double-edged sword of being a conscientious child (or a smart child, or a handy child…) is that people expect things on you. They seek you out for those ways in which you’re gifted but then you inevitably cannot live up to often other expectations.

I don’t know if that makes sense. I’m thinking of it strictly as a personal parenting reflection and not how I was in any way raised. It’s not that kids have disappointed me, it’s more like they’ve helped me to see where I didn’t fully grasp or understand how kids grow. Not that I fully do now but when you have backward time to examine then you can appreciate each one’s journey of where they’ve been and where you have too.