DREAMS

 In one of the Bible studies I've worked on (maybe I or II Samuel?) we did a quick topical study on pride. Folks like to throw around snap judgments these days, "she's prideful" etc and it was eye-opening to see how Scripture REALLY talks about the issue. There is nothing wrong with taking satisfaction in a job well done or in the blessings or work that God has done in and on our behalf. The problem comes when we COMPARE ourselves to another to make ourselves feel better about ourselves or when we become arrogant. I share that because I'm about to share an odyssey that may well lead some to say "well - she's prideful this a.m. " - but I'm willing to run the risk.
There are times when your children simply amaze, awe, and bless your socks off. Jamin has done that to us lately. He began writing a novel when he was 12. He finished it when he was 16. He's spent the past year revising, polishing, and editing that novel.

We encourage the children to dream. I must say here that we also force them to take ownership of their dreams. When they say they want to do something, *I* don't go find all the info, drop it all in their lap, and then PUSH them towards the goal. We pray with them and for them. We let them know what we know - but they pursue it.

A couple of years ago I heard about the Christian Writer's Guild. I passed that info on to Jamin. He wanted to join their program. He was worried about the $. We told him that many homes spend more than $50 a month on music lessons or sports lessons and that if this was his dream - we didn't have a problem investing in him. (I also explained that with so many of the kids heading to volunteer ministry careers we need SOMEONE to make some money and care for mom in her old age. ::snort::) He took the first year. He was assigned a mentor, T. Suzanne Eller, and he flew. I do not grade his assignments. I do not schedule his assignments. This is HIS dream. He finished the first year with flying colors.

THIS year, money was tight, but we wanted to allow Jamin to continue. HE PAID FOR THE CLASS! We didn't suggest this solution.

In his first year in the guild he heard about an annual conference hosted by the Guild in Colorado Springs. He dreamed of attending. We encouraged him to dream. We said nothing about $, we began to pray and work towards it. Mike was deployed last year at this time and he simply couldn't attend.

Jamin PAID for his conference fee and, when he found out that since he is a minor the conference wanted an adult to attend, he PAID for Mike to attend. He bought the plane tickets, he paid for the hotel. We sprung for the rental car and we are still discussing the fact that we would like to pay for Mike's ticket.
Yes, I'm very proud of this young man. I'm thrilled and deeply satisfied at the character that I observe being formed in him. God planted a dream and he WORKED for it. He took ownership of it and pursued it. We were tempted at times to make it easy, to push, to give as much of the dream as we could to him - but he NEEDED to learn to press hard for dreams. Nothing can rob him of his sense of accomplishment. He's nervous. He's humble. He's excited. I sat at Mom's Night Out on Monday and the speaker said that often times we moms get our egos tied up in our children and that we need to pull back and allow them to own their emotions, their dreams, their accomplishments....and I smiled inside because this once, someone GOT why we allow the KIDS to work so hard, rather than chasing after their dreams for them. LOL

Jamin and Mike left this a.m. We are proud of his drive in pursuing his God planted dream. Regardless of the outcome of his interviews with publishers etc.... we are proud of HIM and who he is becoming as the grace of God forms his character and ambitions.

So photos from the last few days:

Practicing his "spiel" in the garage - these interviews will be HARD for Jamin. He doesn't like change, he's an extreme introvert...but he's prepared long for it. I'm proud that he's willing to reach way outside of his comfort zone for the sake of the dream.

The paperwork just KEPT coming. Yesterday he polished up all sorts of proposals etc. Mike bailed Jamin and I out by designing a COOL business card for Jamin...there was simply a LOT of paperwork. I'll clean the library today. ::snort::

THEN we had to go shopping. This young man doesn't own "business casual". ::snort:: Shoes, pants, socks, belt, pants, shirts...

Jamin chose ALL shades of brown pants. I decided not to push it - he needs to be COMFORTABLE with what he's wearing the next few days. He did branch out and try different colored shirts.

The product of months of work! Each packet contains the first 3 chapters of, The King of the Reid, a synopsis of the book, a cover letter addressed to specific publishing houses, a business card, a proposal and synopsis of a new book (he's written 70 pages of it), a self-addressed, stamped envelope and more. He read a zillion books and researched on the web to determine what he wanted to have with him when he meets with reps from various publishing houses.



O Dark Thirty


They're off.....I'm praying this conference is all Jamin hopes it will be. Of course I'd love for a publisher to pick him up - but more than that I want him to drain every ounce of learning and satisfaction from the experience that he can. I believe God planned for Jamin to be at this very spot, in this very time.


They'll be home on Monday. If God brings Jamin to your mind in the next few days, please say a prayer for him as he pursues the call of God on his life.
I've not read Suzanne Ellers works - but here is a link to an interview done by CBD, and here is a link to the Dare to Believe and Real Teen Faith, ministries that she runs. (I am guessing her view of teens and my view of youth aren't going to mesh 100%, but I'm impressed with her interactions with Jamin. I also think it important to note that our children aren't the "typical" youth of their generation so maybe the issues she addresses DO talk to those issues - in fact I know they do from viewing the websites). Several of her books look very interesting to me and I suspect we'll be buying them soon. I love her emphasis on REDEEMED PASTS. Most of her books seem to be published by Harvest House Publishers. Her new books "The Mom I want to Be Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future" and "The Woman I am Becoming" look like they may be helpful in Women's Ministry. Of course, I need to read them before I can recommend them. Maybe I should add them to my 2008 reading list...the ever growing list. ::snort::