![[(Child Training Tips : What I Wish I Knew When My Children Were Young)] [By (author) Reb Bradley] published on (August, 2014)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SnOcJL+QL._SL500_.jpg)
My oldest son Mike, and his wife Ruth, have been missionaries in the Philippines for the past 5 years. Recently they were home for two years to raise support before going back to the field. Saying goodbye is always hard, and after this last visit it was no different. However, I am SO glad to see how God is using them in their ministry there. We raised our kids to serve God, and couldn’t be happier as we see the results of the time we invested in that training. It is worth it to stay faithful as a mom!
I’m going to share something from an email I received which made me cry, because it confirmed to me that it was WORTH every minute that we invested in teaching and training Mike, and our others kids to know, love, and serve God!
A little explanation about the email first:
Mike & Ruth were blessed to have Ruth’s parents (Scott & Debbie Christansen) serving there in the Philippines with them for the 2 1/2 years before coming home to raise support. Before Mike & Ruth left the Philippines to come to the states, Debbie was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic cancer.
When I heard about her cancer, I felt led to send an email to Scott & Debbie to let them know that I was thinking about them and praying for them.
Scott responded with this email:
What a pleasure it has been to get to know and work with Mike for these last 2 1/2 years.
We are looking forward to spending some quality time with them in a week when we go to a very nice hotel in a beautiful spot overlooking the ocean. I wanted to give Ruth and her Mom some time to create good memories, especially if the departure on May 19th turns out to be the last time they get to see each other in this life. But I am also looking to get to talk to Mike and let him know how much we have come to love and respect him. And how much we will miss him. If the Lord tarries, we know that he and Ruth will do a great job in starting a church in Mindanao.
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Thank you for the years of hard work and sacrifice that you invested in Mike. Thank you for being faithful to God and setting standards in music and character that put a foundation within him that he could build upon. And thank you for letting him follow God’s will with your blessing. He loves you both dearly and misses you. It is perhaps the hardest sacrifice of a missionary to leave family behind, but it is made much easier when you know they are also proud of you following God’s will.
Soon we will pass the baton on to you to watch over them. We know you will love Ruth as much as we have come to love Mike. Every once in a while give her a hug and kiss and tell her it is from some very proud parents.
My heart was SO touched by the love that Mike’s in-laws have for him! What a blessing that is in a marriage – to be loved and respected by your mother and father-in-law!
Scott’s reminder about our hard work and sacrifice in laying a foundation for Mike’s service to the Lord, served to motivate me to continue to encourage moms to stay faithful!
Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes... in You and Your Kids
Passionate Parenting: Enjoying the Journey of Parenting TeensSolving A Crisis in Christian Parenting: Why so many prodigals?[(Child Training Tips : What I Wish I Knew When My Children Were Young)] [By (author) Reb Bradley] published on (August, 2014)
Moms ,don’t ever think what you are doing isn’t important! Work hard, and stay faithful in preparing your kids to answer God’s call, and be ready to serve Him.
There is no greater thrill than to see your kids grow up to love and serve God, and lead others to Him!
