After 3 years off, I finally managed to re-institute the Lee Family Retreat this past August. It was a time of much soul searching and some difficult self-evaluation of the past 3 years. But God showed Himself faithful as always to not only comfort and encourage but also to show Himself glorious and mighty. I was most struck by the immensity of God and how that puts all of my problems in proper perspective.
This retreat was somewhat of a milestone in that we took Andrew for the first time. He spent several hours in prayer, reading God's Word and self-evaluation too. I was very proud of the thoughtful answers he shared with us as we all reflected on who God is and what He has done for us in the past year especially.
We have been starting to solidify some Lee Family Core Values. It's been encouraging to keep repeating these themes over the years and to now sometimes hear them repeated back to me from the boys and girl. Hopefully, this will become part of the fabric of who they are as people.
Lee Family Core Values:
Honor your mother
Always tell the truth / no secrets
Brothers and sister will be best friends
Do your best
Be a hard worker / work first then play
Value others
Love God’s Word
Have a happy heart / Be joyful in God alone
Be faithful / responsible
Do things the right way
- Speak with kindness
We managed to memorize a lot of God's Word this year.
2015 Memory Verses:
- 1 John 1:8-9
- Psalm 141:3-4
- John 14:2-3
- John 15:5
- Proverbs 19:11
- Proverbs 3:5-7
- Isaiah 46:9-11
- Titus 3:4-6
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
- James 1:12
- Psalm 20:6-8
- Matthew 11:28-30
- Romans 1:16-17
- Matthew 10:28
- Philippians 1:6
- Ephesians 6:10-18
- 1 Peter 1:3-5
- 1 Timothy 2:5
- Psalm 86:5-7
- Isaiah 40:28-31
- Ephesians 4:26
- Colossians 3:1-3
And we also spent time in God's Word as usual in our family Bible times. We didn't read as much together as I had hoped with the busyness of the schedule picking up with basketball, track, gymnastics, soccer and church events. But hopefully, I will do a better job of guarding this family time next year.
2015 Bible Books Read:
- Luke
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
Healing has been a slow process, but I am starting to look forward to the future with some hope for what God will do and for what God has been doing.
