2013-12-20T06:00:04-05:00 GCI info@gospel.com /feeds/topics/family/ http://faithgateway.com/10-simple-ways-to-bless-your-neighbors/ 2013-12-20T06:00:04-05:00 One of the things I love most about the holidays is getting to do something nice for my neighbors. Oh sure, I could do it year ’round, but I am sorry to say that I really don’t think enough about it.  Then the weather cools down, the Christmas lights go up on the house and […] http://faithgateway.com/how-to-give-good-gifts-to-children-christmas/ 2013-12-20T06:00:03-05:00 … how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11) In the Bible we read how God loves to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:10-11). And isn’t that just how we feel toward our children, too?  Where does this generous gift-giving impulse […] http://faithgateway.com/thankful-or-self-entitled-raising-kids-who-show-gratitude/ 2013-12-19T06:00:04-05:00 Children adept at offering timely and authentic thanks demonstrate rich character and along the way exude an almost magnetic charm. It is not surprising that people prefer to engage with kids who freely recognize and appreciate efforts made on their behalf, especially when compared with children straitjacketed by self-entitlement. Picture your family: Which description applies […] http://faithgateway.com/favorite-family-christmas-traditions/ 2013-12-18T06:00:05-05:00 One of my favorite times of year is Christmas. There is so much joy and beauty to take in, not to mention all the fun things to do together. We have a lot of family traditions during the month of December. Traditions help us bond as a family and give the children something to look forward […] http://faithgateway.com/more-than-gifts-christmas-ill-never-forget/ 2013-12-17T06:00:03-05:00 Ah, holiday memories. My mind tends to go on a “This is Your Life” Ferris wheel during this time of year as I recall memories of Christmases past. I know everyone can’t look back at their childhood Christmases and reminiscence with fondness, but I have nothing but great memories surrounding the holidays. And I didn’t […] http://faithgateway.com/fruitcake-cookies-christmas-recipe/ 2013-12-14T06:00:04-05:00 Why does fruitcake have such a bad rap? Fruitcake has been around forever – I mean, people probably ate it in Biblical times! The history of the fruitcake can be traced back to Egypt, when Egyptians placed an early version of the fruitcake on the tombs of loved ones. The earliest recipe comes from ancient Rome and […] http://faithgateway.com/why-i-fell-in-love-with-amish/ 2013-12-13T06:00:05-05:00 When I was in the sixth grade my family moved near a library, and the summer of my sixth grade year was spent visiting there daily, checking out books, reading two or three before bedtime, and then heading back the next day for more. Out of everything I read, my favorites were the Little House […] http://faithgateway.com/7-ways-teach-children-joys-giving/ 2013-12-13T06:00:04-05:00 The Christmas season is a great time of year to help children learn about the joys of giving and the importance of reaching out to others in their time of need. During the month of December children are excited and often focused on one thing: presents! Their wish-lists are written, then they grow even longer […] http://faithgateway.com/helping-children-appreciate-gods-creation-5-simple-ideas/ 2013-12-12T06:00:04-05:00 In the every day busy moments of our life, we can begin to lose our appreciation and wonder of God’s creation. We can grow desensitized to the details of life and the beauty of simple joys. Children are good at reminding us to slow down and enjoy those very moments, but even they need to […] http://faithgateway.com/creating-christmas-memories-family-keepsake/ 2013-12-10T06:00:05-05:00 Each year leading up to Christmas, I wonder how I’m gonna make it. As a mother of five young children, I so want Christmas to be special for them. Even amidst the daily craziness of our life that doesn’t stop because we’ve twinkled the house, I want to make Christmas memories with them. I want […]