<h3>Where does the time go?</h3>
That has been the conversation around our house for the past week.

We have set aside special time this week for things such as a mother/ daughter pedicures.

<a href=”https://candygibbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo-2-Copy-e1346087357781.jpg”><img title=”Beginnings” src=”https://candygibbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo-2-Copy-e1346087357781-225×300.jpg” alt=”Candy Gibbs, Encouragement for Parents, Starting School, The End, New Beginnings, parenting teens, parenting pre-teens, new school year” width=”225″ height=”300″ /></a>

A lunch with my son.
<p ><img title=”Beginnings 2″ src=”https://candygibbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo-1-Copy-300×300.jpg” alt=”Candy Gibbs, Encouragement for Parents, Starting School, The End, New Beginnings, parenting teens, parenting pre-teens, new school year” width=”300″ height=”300″ /></p>
Traditional family cook out and our annual family meeting over homemade ice cream and chocolate chip cookies tonight.
<p > <img title=”Beginnings 3″ src=”https://candygibbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo-1-300×225.jpg” alt=”Candy Gibbs, Encouragement for Parents, Starting School, The End, New Beginnings, parenting teens, parenting pre-teens, new school year” width=”300″ height=”225″ /></p>
Oh, and in Madi’s words, “Gibbs family movie night”.

We have attempted to glean blessing from every single moment as I am sure you and your sweet family have as well.  We are at a place of new beginnings.

My house is quiet now as I sit to write. My man has fallen sound asleep watching Tebow play Sunday night football. My children are tucked into bed ready to start a new school year in just a few short hours. I am left with my thoughts.

I am thinking about my discussions with Jake and Madi over the last few weeks. I am remembering the prayers I have prayed.
<blockquote>Lord, help them to be a good friend and to make good friends. Help them to learn from mistakes and difficulty. Thank you for the thrill of victories and for tear stained faces that have given their all yet fell just short. Help them to notice not only their own talents and abilities, but those of others as well. Allow them to stretch, to reach for more…to believe You enough to give it all they have. Lord, grant them favor and influence and Holy Spirit do that thing that only You can do. Amaze them.</blockquote>
As I think about my kids…I think about yours and so many wonderful young people the Lord has placed in my life. I pray the same things for them and I cannot wait to see all that God has in store for them all.

I have looked at Facebook and Twitter today and have loved all of the different things that families are doing in preparation for the new school year. I love to see those smiling faces and the bitter, sweet tone in a momma’s words as she describes her love and hopes for her babies.

Parents…I wonder if you realize that you are doing a fabulous job. When your kids get up in the morning, the clothes they have waited weeks to wear are a gift from you. The new pens and pencils they will break in this week are provision from parents who adore them. When they have butterflies in their stomach approaching the “new” lunch room or the first time to practice “that” sport…they will remember your words of encouragement and your hug as they ran into the building. When they feel alone and scared, included and happy, smart and challenged…you will be the first one they want to tell. You are so important.
Be strong enough to allow them to try…to struggle well. When they don’t make the team (or the team you think they should have), let them battle back. Help them to practice and push themselves … to strive. If they achieve their goal, what a celebration it will be…and if they don’t, they gave it all they had.

<strong>Be in tune enough to hear Him on their behalf. Holy Spirit is always speaking.</strong>

Eli recognized Him on behalf of Samuel. Point Him out to your children. What’s He saying to them and about them? He loves them so and oh His thoughts toward them!

So tomorrow when you make the drop and drive away with a tear in your eye…I pray that you enjoy one more cup of coffee and linger a little. You are blessed. Life is good. Oh the possibilities…and know that I am thinking of you and yours and doing the same!

“And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and favor with the Lord and with men.” 1 Samuel 2:26

~Candy