Becky decided to leave my mother's house because of the immoral way that mom is living. She painfully decided that she needed to not see my mother to make herself stronger spiritually. Mom blamed it on my stepmother and then the church. She called me on Wednesday night and asked me if I was going to leave her too. I want to visit her in December to say hi and catch up on a few things, but I really don't think that it would be a good Idea for me to spend too much time with her. She said that if I left her too she wouldn't know what to do. While I understand that it is hard to face reality sometimes, it is a necessity. She needs to realize that until she changes her ways that we don't want to be a part of that life. Please pray that I would be able to make this decision wisely and as God would have it. May His will be done.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL,
RKT
What a mature, strong, and very difficult decision! It is often hard to put Christ above all else because family "in the flesh" tends to pull so much more strongly. Thank you for your encouragement in this!
Sweetheart, You have touched my heart with your tough choice. Remember that you may be the only Bible your mother reads so your influence is important--as long as there is life there is hope. Pray for strength for the right things to say that might touch her heart. I think you are already wise beyond your years. Are you still enjoying FC? Looking forward to seeing you at lectures. Love to you.
I think you are doing the right thing. She needs to know that you care about her, but realize that if she will not live in a way that will please the Lord, it limits the relationship you can have with her. I know this is hard for you and a girl as sweet and wonderful as you should not have to go through this, but use it the best you can to grow spiritually and keep leaning on God. Love you a lot!!
Rachel, I know you are going through a lot of tough decisions right now. I love you and Becky and I'm praying for all of you. If you ever need someone to talk to here's my email address: emeraldjewel113@gmail.com . I'll aways be here for you. Please give my love to Becky and tell her hello for me.=) I love you!
The key influence in your mother's life with regards to church fellowship is the two of you. It is sin that has caused the pain and heartache that has transpired. Disfellowship is God's way of dealing with the issue and as difficult as it is on you both, His ways are best. Be assured that you and Becky are in our prayers and I believe God will give you the strength to stand firm in this. Remember not to weaken on your resolve because it is Satan who wants you to do the "nice" thing instead of the loving thing. I thank God every day for the gift God has given me in you girls. I love you both and always will!
You know I have been there. I feel for you. But you have to do what you feel the holiness of God calls you to do. One scripture that struck me was "love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth." Another version said, "love does not rejoice with iniquity." (1 Cor 13:6). I felt like when I was laughing and having a good time with my mom and stepfather that I was actually rejoicing WITH unrighteousness. Their adultery is so ugly to God that he cannot even look upon it, but there I was accepting it and rejoicing with it.
The boundaries that you set will be difficult, but however you choose to limit your fellowship with here I recommend being consistent and loving. Its hard for those that we rebuke to see the love in it so we have to sometimes work extra hard to let them know that it is because of the love of God and the love of his holiness that we want then to honor God.
I am loving FC and life. I have a boyfriend (went to FC last year and will come back next year). I have made some friends that I wouldn't trade for the world.
I am asking for prayers now. My mother and I have had a "falling out" and it seems that she doesn't care if she sees me or becky. She came "to visit me" a week ago. This ended with her telling me she loved me and that she would miss me. This was the first time that she has said that and hasn't meant it (that i feel).
My friend Nicola is going through much the same now, so please pray for her and her family as well.
I hope to see some of you in December, but in the meantime, have the happiest of Octobers :)
Yours in Him,
-RKT
So good that you are making friends that can build you up and share in your situation with your mother. Hang in there, dear one. I know you pray for your mother--also pray for wisdom to say the right words and be patient. I know that is hard. Glad you have a boyfriend that is a Christian. Love to you.
Life at FC is awesome. to be surrounded by so many christians is something that i love. The classes are smaller than the ones i was in in high school, so i will get to know my classmates and teachers better.
Dorm life is crazy. Last night, we had a birthday party for Danielle (my roommate) and we had a blast.
i will try to keep you all posted.
God bless you and yours,
RKT
I'm so glad you posted!! I've been thinking about you. I saw Erin when were were up in Jordan and she said Danielle was loving it too. Keep us posted at least every month or so ;) Oh, and if you are in the library my cousin is a librarian there Brooke Ward. Go tell her you know me :)
Well, the time has come for me to leave "the nest" and "fly solo" for the first time.
I can definitely say that I'm excited and can't wait to be surrounded by christians all the time.
I will miss everyone here, but they will be in my heart all the time.
I fly out on the 16th. OF AUGUST!
please pray that the trip will be safe and that I will work my hardest to always grow spiritually.
May God bless each of you
-RKT :)
God bless you in this new adventure. Have the strength to make the most of this wonderful time in your life, making wise choices and putting God first. I believe you can. Have fun too...of course!! :) And remember that FC isn't a perfect place, but a place with so many Christians that you can find good ,Godly companions. I'll be looking forward to hearing how your school year goes. God bless! And love to you.
That is very true. When I went to FC I went because I wanted to be in a spiritual environment, but there were kids there who were there because their parents wanted to reform them. By this age that's a little late. There's A LOT more good than bad, but still be cautious the devil is present everywhere.
Go with a smile and be friendly and you will do GREAT!! You will have one of the best years of your life. I know I laughed more in my year there than I have before or since :)
A good parent, one who does their job right is one who works themself out of a job, which is to say, they work to make their child to thrive independently. Having you leave home tears at my heart but it is both what you need to start a life of your own, and what I need to let you have a life of your own. I pray for God's blessings on you and that you will grow spiritually and as an independent, godly person and that you will truly develop the wings to fly on your own.
Such a great time both physically and spiritually. The week was uplifting and challenging. I love that when we go, we are surrounded by christians and don't watch tv or have anything electronic like that for a whole week-- keeps the distraction factor low, especially for people like me who are easily distracted. There were more baptisms this year than I remember any of the past years, there were more Bible studies and singings this year, and I left camp built up and ready to tackle the problems in my life, promising that I will keep in touch with my friends from camp. I don't know what Becky or I would do without camp, because we have gotten stronger from it, and have made so many new friends that are christians, and they help us realize that we are not alone in this life. I am determined to take what has been presented (the theme was building character) and apply it to my life in the areas where I am lacking. I have to miss next year, but I would like to visit. I will be a counsellor the next time I go. Pray for all those who attended, that they would stay strong and that they would always keep in mind that they have other christians to go to in their times of need.
God Bless,
-RKT
That's awesome you are going back as a counselor. You'll give kids the same experience that you were given!! I think when our kids are bigger that I'd like them to go to NJ camp. I hear so many great things about that camp!!
I was really impressed with the camp too! The "Bible study" camp - ya! We only made the nightly devotionals with you guys; I can't imagine what it must be like for all the teens to get together like that all day long, since I didn't get it until actually attending FC. What the one young man said about being "on the mountain top" and then "going down off the mountain" but carrying the "high" with us - was great. May you and all the great people at the NJ FC camp always carry that "high!" :)
