Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Heritage for Our Good & Linkup


Spending time with my mother (and dad) in sunny Florida!!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
~Romans 8:28~

I was born at home while my parents were missionaries to Japan. As the story goes, the next day, the doctor arrived and was disappointed that I was already named. He was accustomed to being part of the Japanese 'naming ceremony.'

In the days following my birth, boiling water was poured over my little body when I was given a bath. This was part of Japanese culture at the time. My mother was supposed to rest in bed to recover after the birth of a baby. Needless to say, my mother started bathing me so that my leathery skin would soften. 

By the time I was three years old, my parents were able to serve in Hong Kong, which is on the coast of China. At the time, it was a crowded British Crown Colony with a population of four million people. 

Some missionary kids do not have a good attitude about growing up on the mission field. They  have much 'baggage' and often do not follow the Lord, having a very negative outlook on their heritage. 

Two children raised in identical circumstances can have opposite attitudes about their upbringing. Their home doesn't really have to be bad at all. It simply is the choices in life that the two children make.

We all are giving our children an heritage of some sort. What heritage are you giving your children? You don't have to be raising your children on the mission field to make an impact on your child's life. Take the circumstances you have and be diligent to live out your faith before them.

More is caught than taught. Read Bible stories to your children and don't forget to read to them right from the Bible, but remember that how you act speaks louder than words. I failed often, but I am thankful that God is able to turn everything around for the good since 'all things work together for good to them that Love God.'

If you are faithful in teaching your children about the Lord, even a child who chooses the world, will not ever be able to forget what you taught them. Your children are like arrows that you shoot as light into a dying world. So, look back on your heritage. Whether your circumstances seem good or bad, ask God to show you how to use it for good in your children's life and in those who are without Christ.

Do you see your heritage as a gift from the Lord? How are you impacting your children and giving them a good heritage?


I'd LOVE you to leave a comment!!

Since I live out 'in-the-sticks'... friends, like you are a long ways away!!
Sooo, I'd love you to follow me on: 

~Judith~




WholeHearted Home Wednesday 

Linkup #10

Time has flown by and it's time to share again!!

I love reading the posts you link, so hurry, hurry, hurry and linkup.

Keep your posts family-friendly on topics such as:

Mothering
Marriage is for Keeps
Homemaking
Homeschooling
From Your Kitchen
Organizing your Home
Gardening
Mom's Sharing Jesus
And any way you have
WholeHeartedly served Christ in your Home
  1. Post as many posts as you'd like.
  2. Remember the purpose is for community; and women love conversation!! So, please visit at least one blogger who posted on my Linky Party :-)
  3. Keep each post honoring to God.
  4. Be sure to link back using a text link or use my button below.
  5. You may use a 'word' link or my WholeHearted-Home Wednesday's button or link back to WholeHearted Home on your blog or post :-)
  6. Thank you from the bottom of my heart as each of your posts are always such an encouragement to me and other ladies. Happy linking!!
Thanks for dropping by!!

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WholeHearted Home






17 comments:

  1. Awesome about your start as an MK in Japan. I have friends who are missionaries in Japan. We are going to visit them in January.
    I agree about 2 kids turning out completely differently. It is the choices. Of my siblings, and my husband's siblings, very few didn't have a rough path back to God. But, almost all are living lives pleasing to Him now.
    Great post!

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    1. Thanks Bernadette...How awesome to be able to visit Japan soon!! You'll just have to blog about your visit. I have never been back except in Tokyo for a few hours while waiting for a plane connection when I was ten (just yesterday, ya know)

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  2. BTW, I might be missing something, but I think you need to add the grab code to your button. I'd love to post it on my page.

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    1. No, you aren't missing ANYTHING!! I haven't had the time yet. I have to get it fixed up again. For now, it is possible to link it up by copying and pasting (or save as, then upload) and then highlighting it and then linking it to http://wholehearted-home.blogspot.com

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  3. What a great story about your childhood and how you are close to God and to your parents...what a blessing! Linked up behind you at WIP

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    1. Thanks so much!! I hope to get over your way soon and return the visit.

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  4. I, too, grew up as an MK (in the Philippines) and I give thanks for that fantastic heritage. My sister is back there now and my brother is a pastor. Our parents made sure we knew we were part of the ministry and we've all been blessed and grateful.

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    1. Kim, you sent goose-bumps up my spine!! My husband grew up in the Philippines as an MK too!!!! He was probably there before you were. No one can return to where he lived down in Basiland.

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  5. Wow, I never knew that! That's fascinating. I have to admit the boiling water thing surprises me because it would cause bad burns and that would be a problem!

    I have a few friends who were PK's and of course, MY kids are PK's. I didn't know you were an MK!

    Thanks for inviting me to your linky! I will pop back later and link up. I am allowing myself to leave one comment right now (and yours is "it") and now I have to get back to work around here!

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    1. Thanks Nan :-) I am really an MPK (Missionary-Pastor's Kid) because I have been both. Stay tooned and someday maybe I'll blog about it.

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  6. That is a good question. I do see how God is using my heritage for his glory and am passionate about continuing a godly heritage with my children.

    I'm glad I found your link-up. Thank you!

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    1. Thanks for linking up Theresa. I like it that you used the word 'passionate' to describe continuing a godly heritage with your children.

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  7. What an interesting story to pour boiling water over a baby! Cultures are so different! Thanks for linking up!

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  8. Hi Judith, glad you stopped by, been busy here with the house, I think now all we have to do is put insolation over Jacobs room, for some reason they never put any there.

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  9. nice post thanks for sharing..found you thrue other bloggers hope visiting more..blessings

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  10. Judith...good point on heritage. Love the photo of you and your mom. Blessings sweet friend.

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  11. Found your blog from the Teagan's Travels linkup. :) My youngest daughter is from China. Interesting traditions you shared!

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If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back --
Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track.

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