A Quick Note From The Willowood Adventure Society
Thriving in uncertain times
Hey Mama!
We’re living in wild and unpredictable times aren’t we? There seems to be so much fear and uncertainty going around that it can make us feel a little uneasy. But friend, none of this has come as a surprise to our Good Father. We can entrust our unknown future to our Known God. Some of you are unexpectedly experiencing days at home with your Wild Ones, for others of us we’re learning to navigate our ‘normal’ homeschool days apart from library outings and play dates, but we’re all in this together friends.
Perhaps, you’re feeling a little stressed. Perhaps you are worrying about how to ‘survive’ these long days at home, worrying about where on earth to find some toilet paper, or feeling a little overwhelmed every time you flip on the news.
Sister, you and I as Christians are not intended to just ‘survive’ this... we are intended to THRIVE.
You are a wife, a mom, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a neighbor,
“For such a time as this.” Esther 4:14
It is no accident that we exist at this moment in time. God desires to use you. He wants to work through you during this season. He wants you to THRIVE and to SHINE.
Rather than giving into fear and timidity may we live according to the power of the Holy Spirit! Let’s pray diligently, give liberally and serve compassionately.
How can we use this unprecedented season to influence the world around us for Christ? How can we use the extra time at home together to help our children the cultivate character needed to be planet shakers?
First, PRAY. Pray that the Lord will lead and guide you as you submit to His will and plan. Pray that He will empower you with the power of His might and equip you to walk in courage, wisdom, peace and a sound mind. Pray boldly. Pray in faith. Pray for wisdom. Pray for safety and for health. Pray for your neighbors. Pray for the elderly and vulnerable populations. Pray for healthcare workers and shopkeepers.
PRAY UNTIL YOU HAVE PEACE.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Secondly, REST in the promises of God. Read the Word and allow it to have its proper place in your heart and mind. When fear attempts to sneak in, pick up the Sword of the Spirit and use it!!
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Thirdly, INVEST. Use the extra time with your Wild Ones to help them fall more in love with Jesus and cultivate godly character.
To help cultivate Courage:
- Read the Bible with your kids.
- Talk to them about God and how BIG He is. (Big God by Britt Merrick is a great read aloud book to enjoy together.)
- Memorize Bible verses together as a family. (2 Timothy 1:7 might be a good place to start.)
To help cultivate Creativity and Curiosity:
- Pull out some nature books and field guides and let your kids pick a topic to “study”. Use this topic as a way to develop craft ideas throughout the week. If your child wants to learn about birds, go outside listen to and watch the neighborhood birds. Build a bird feeder. Draw the birds in your backyard.
- Bring out all your random crafting supplies and create mixed media collages and cards for loved ones.
- Encourage your littles to think up ways to cheer up others. In Italy folks are making rainbows to stick in their windows as symbols of hope, perhaps your children will want to make flowers or garlands to hang up.
- Go outside. Get low, sit still and observe. What do you hear, see, smell and hear?
To help cultivate Consciousness:
- Give your children opportunities to serve. They can help sweep, wipe down surfaces, put away laundry.
- Encourage your children to finish the things they begin.
- As weather permits, gift your children with packets of seeds. Let them create a little garden in a pot or in a corner of your yard and let it be their responsibility to water and tend it.
To help cultivate Compassion:
- Talk to your kids about what is going on in the world and “frame” things with compassionate others-centered phrases.
- Pray with your children.
- When your kids get bummed about canceled plans, remind them that by staying home they get to be “superheroes” and protect people who are vulnerable.
- When your children are frustrated about a store being out of something they want remind them about the blessings they do enjoy, and think up a way to bless a neighbor or family member. “The store may be out of Oreos but they have everything to make cookies, why don’t we make Grandpa some chocolate chip cookies when we get home?”
- Use every opportunity you can as a teaching moment to shift thinking from “self” to “others”.
- Encourage your children to think of ways to bless others. FaceTime Grandparents. Send cards. Plant flowers in your front yard. Smile and say “Hello” to the people you do come in contact with.
So friend, remember you belong to the King of Kings! You are His beloved and He has equipped and gifted you to be fruitful during “such a time as this”. Cling to the Prince of Peace and allow Him to be your joy and peace today!
Praying for you as you seek after the Good Shepherd!
- The Willowood Adventure Society
Meet The Willowood Adventure Society
Manny
Manny is the Willowood librarian. He loves long naps in the sun and big cups of tea.
Jax
Jax is a curious explorer and the curator of Willowood’s fabulous floating Natural History Museum.
Fern
Fern is one of Willowood’s most creative residents and runs her own floral and apothecary shop.
Millie
Millie is mommy to a whole crew of little mice. She is passionate about helping equip and encourage other moms to love and live well.
Hello Friend!
Like you I’m a mama longing to be more intentional with my child. I want to raise him in such a way that he will COURAGEOUSLY stand up for truth and justice. I want him to be a COMPASSIONATE world changer, who rather than hiding from pain and sorrow is moved to action. I want him to love the outcast and embrace the stranger. I want him to gaze upon beauty with wonder and to be so captivated by the vastness of creation that CURIOUSITY will motivate him to ask questions and study things well beyond his years. I want him to know and love his Creator so deeply that CREATIVITY pours out of his life as a worshipful response. I want him to experience the contentment found in a job well done and to be CONSCIENTIOUS in all that he does as he seeks to hear that ultimate “Well done, My Child.” I long for him to be COURTEOUS and KIND even when it is difficult. I want him to believe that everyone has something to bring to the table, something to teach us, and to be COOPERATIVE in the midst of beatiful diversity. I want him to be a PEACEMAKER and a PLANET SHAKER.
But I know that he isn’t going to magically wake up this way. Cultivating character takes work! It requires patience, diligence, and a whole lot of GRACE. The Willowood Adventure Society was birthed out of the desire to be an intentional parent, to help my Wild One grow into the man I dream of him becoming, and to encourage you as you venture down this same road of parenthood and discipleship. Here you’ll find activities, stories and inspiration to encourage you as you do the noble work of cultivating character one moment at a time.
Blessings,
Cheyenne
Contact The Willowood Adventure Society
We’d love to hear from you! If you have any bright ideas of things you’d like to see, questions about the Society or just want to say “Hi” feel free to shoot us a message using the form below we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
