![\"Timothy\"](\"http:\/\/rodriguesfamilyministries.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0480.jpg\")
<\/a>Timothy – 16 Years Old!!<\/p><\/div>\n
“Are you fasting?” I questioned him.<\/p>\n
“Yes,” he meekly replied.<\/p>\n
“OH!!!” I responded with admiration.<\/p>\n
I watched him see food go by all day long in our tight quarters and firmly pass it by without so much as a nibble. \u00a0At one point I even began to display my admiration of his decision to the other children and he shushed me. \u00a0He wanted this decision to be between him and God. \u00a0The next morning I asked Timothy if he had eaten.<\/p>\n
“Yes,” he replied. “I ate 5 pieces of toast! \u00a0It’s amazing how hungry you get when fasting!” he expressed with intrigue and new awareness of the sacrifices fasting\/praying people make.<\/p>\n
Now, I must encourage Moms out there that may be reading this. \u00a0I do NOT say this to put my Timothy down, but he has been our most\u00a0stubborn<\/span> child\u00a0by far!!!<\/strong> \u00a0He was a chronic\u00a0whiner<\/em>\u00a0and whined his way through the toddler age. \u00a0He connived his way YET……….even when David and I felt\u00a0bone weary<\/em> and could not believe we were having to deal with yet another “strong – willed” moment in our son, we would (by God’s grace and power) consistently correct it every time. \u00a0We tried not to let the “little errors” go by, but rather show him the error of his ways with each and every small and big thing.<\/p>\n With some children, you feel that you just correct a few times and they\u00a0magically<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>just “catch on”. \u00a0With others, consistency time and time again is\u00a0crucial!! \u00a0<\/strong>As they grow, you should see a growth in them in their understanding of their erroneous ways and you should see growth in their spiritual lives. \u00a0It has NOT come easy in the life of our Timothy, but I can say, he brings us SO much joy now.<\/p>\n Timothy is growing into such a wonderful young man that brings us joy and delight. \u00a0 3Jo 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”<\/strong><\/p>\n I think of other teenage boys I know that seem like the best thing they have to do is hang in front of the TV, act flirtatious around the pretty girls, act indifferent towards adults, and really act as if they could “care less” about spiritual things.<\/p>\n I do NOT want to boast myself of tomorrow, for Timothy is young yet (as I well know), but I do know this, as a handsome, strapping 16 year old young man, I am VERY pleased with his desire to seek the face of God in his life.<\/p>\n He is so gentle and kind to his younger siblings and looks for ways that he can make their lives more pleasurable. \u00a0He will “rig” up a fun ride for them and he is constantly fixing things for all his siblings. \u00a0He is very patient with his sometimes giddy, teasing teenage Bud, Mama loves you more than you will ever know. \u00a0I know that you will not want this kind of public praise, but I wanted to let you know how THRILLED I am with your desire in life to do the right thing. \u00a0You do NOT have perfect parents (as you well know……..smile), but I am thankful that you have taken the training and advice we have given you throughout your childhood and are now actively applying it to your life!! \u00a0You are a greater blessing in our home than you will ever realize! \u00a0Thank you for seeking God with your life!!<\/p>\n Mamas, do you have a stubborn child? \u00a0Do you finally say, “It’s not worth the battle. \u00a0I’ll just throw the dice in a gamble and\u00a0hope to God<\/em> they will turn out!”<\/p>\n Remember, if raising children was just a “gamble” and we had no SURE hope that they would turn out for God, then I will tell you right now, that would take all the “wind out of my sails”. \u00a0We MUST rise up and claim God’s promises from His Word!! \u00a0There\u00a0IS<\/strong> a recipe for success, but too few parents are willing to take that road. \u00a0It is a “weary to the flesh” road; but, the reward in the end is ……….well………….worth it all!!<\/p>\n I have met a handful of families that have had this success and they were absolute PASSIONATE about raising up their children for Christ. \u00a0My parents for example (Tim &<\/p>\n (My Dad on the back tree) Tim Noyes<\/p><\/div>\n Pat Noyes) are my awesome role models! \u00a0My Dad and Mom were ridiculed so many times for sheltering us too much or for homeschooling us or for being too strict…………yet in the midst of all that, they tastefully mixed in LOADS of love, support, fun, and trust! \u00a0These critics would look to my parents and wag their heads in judgement that my parents should “wait until we got older………..and then we would see how we would\u00a0for sure<\/em> all rebel and go astray.”<\/p>\n Somehow though (because my parents followed and practiced God’s principles) that day never came. \u00a0PRAISE THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS!! \u00a0He NEVER fails us!!<\/p>\n Amy Foster<\/p><\/div>\n How is it that my (Jill’s) sister can go on in life as a crippled quadriplegic and inspire many as she continues on with no bitterness towards God?? \u00a0Because she had a Mom and Dad that were fervent in teaching us to NEVER forsake our God…………..because –\u00a0Heb 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” \u00a0<\/strong>He is God Himself and He never forsakes us…………so why should we forsake Him? \u00a0Thanks, Amy, for choosing right in your life……..even when you have faced one of life’s hardest trials ever!<\/p>\n At the end of the day, the decision to do right will land in the hearts and minds of your children. \u00a0However, God does not leave us without hope, but promises success when we follow HIS principles. \u00a0NO……………..it is not our good works that inspire success, but action<\/em><\/strong> upon what he commands us to do. \u00a0Are you willing to rise up and give it your all??<\/p>\n 3 generations of men that fear God!<\/p><\/div>\n Timothy just turned 16 years old and we told him he could pick out any “boy” friend to take out to dinner with us and to then go do some fun “guy” thing (like go-carting \/ or something like that). \u00a0Well, he could not think of a friend (near us) that he felt close enough to that he could relate to spiritually, so he chose\u00a0Grandpa!!<\/em> \u00a0Wow! \u00a0That alone blessed my heart! \u00a0Old Mom (me) bought him these “cool” sunglasses to use on his baby \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 blues when driving, etc. \u00a0 We are on the brink of our children starting to leave home, and we truly want to cherish each moment with them, for these precious moments surely fly by so swiftly.<\/p>\n I love you, Timothy. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Hugs, Mama The other day we were traveling in the RV and I fixed some food. \u00a0I offered Timothy some and he politely turned it down. \u00a0He is a growing teenage boy and is almost always hungry. \u00a0He is a hard worker … Continue reading <\/a>Timothy had chosen to fast about his future as he approaches his adult life in the next couple of years. \u00a0He wants God’s direction and peace about exactly<\/em>\u00a0what God would have him to do once he graduates from high school. \u00a0He has his sights set on some specific things for his future, but he does not want to press ahead without his parents or without God’s approval. \u00a0I was THRILLED beyond measure to see Timothy’s desire to draw nigh unto God in his own personal walk. \u00a0He continues to have fasting as a part of his weekly schedule now.<\/p>\n<\/a>through childhood and was always looking for ways to look out for number one<\/em> and what HE wanted out of life. \u00a0Needless to say, sometimes it drove my husband and I crazy!<\/p>\n<\/a>He is still a very driven young man and is very self-motivated and hard-working. \u00a0These are character traits that are his\u00a0strength<\/strong> and areas we have had to do very little training in. \u00a0However, our goal with our children is not just to see them achieve success in areas the world would deem as important, but MOST IMPORTANTLY, in areas\u00a0our God<\/strong> deems important!! \u00a0The issues of the heart is where we know our God is looking. \u00a0Pr 20:27 \u00b6 “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” \u00a0<\/em><\/strong> Also………… Ro 7:22 “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>sisters and responds to them with a smirk. \u00a0He inspires and encourages his younger brothers to keep their room always neat and tidy and is his Dad’s “right arm” when it comes to projects.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"