Debt-Free Series: Excited to Begin

For some time I’ve had it on my heart to encourage families who have the desire to raise children to live debt-free lives. From my discussions with people, I believe the vast majority of Christians today are burdened down with debt. They believe it is just a fact of life – unavoidable.They have labored for years under the weight of it, not thinking it is possible to live without it. Praise God there are some who desire and are committed to something better for their children. If that is your desire, this series is for you.

I recently asked those who receive the Seriously Dads’ email if they were committed to raising their children to be debt-free. My purpose was to reply to them directly and encourage them. However, too many responded for me to dialog with each individually. To give you an idea, however, of the mindset of today’s conservative Christians, ONLY 2% replied that they are committed to this endeavor for their children. That grieves my heart not in any sort of condemnation, but because of the bondage they are experiencing and the freedom in life they are missing.

Still, I was encouraged that many responded that they are committed to raising their children to be debt-free. That also meant I needed to find another way of corresponding with you. I realized we could do it via the blog and for those who wished could sign up to receive the blog via email (see the right side bar). That is why the addition of a new topic thread to the titus2.com blog.

What to expect, (Lord willing):

  • Hope! Hope is the essential, beginning point for commitment and achievement.
  • Practical ideas and resources that build upon that hope.
  • Encouragement. One brother shared how all his friends were suggesting that he get a mortgage and that it was a ridiculous idea to try to save for a house. This will be a “place” of encouragement.
  • A place for you to be involved. You can respond via e-mail (not by comments), give me your thoughts on questions, share your heart, and ask questions. (If you wish to respond, you can do so via our Contact Form or replying to a Seriously email.)
  • God’s grace. He gives it bountifully when we seek to follow Him.
  • Life in Christ, Who is the Hope of the world, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

Share these posts with others who you believe are open to living debt-free and/or raising their children that way. Even though you may be surrounded by those thinking it isn’t possible, why not help them escape “Egypt” with you? Create your own encouragement community around you.

Question: What do you think are foundational aspects for someone to be debt-free?

Thank you for being a part. Please pray for us as we pray for you.

(Also, WordPress automatically adds what it considers as related posts below.)

Trusting in Christ alone,
Steve

img_8178“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13).

Nathan and Melanie Maxwell’s Baby News

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We are excited to announce that we are expecting again. The due date is March 6th. We are all happy and working to wait patiently.

There’s an element of realism with every new baby. We don’t have life figured out now, adding another one to the mix will further confirm that. Things that always work for others don’t for us. For example, the fancy “help-your-child-quit-thumb-sucking-leather-glove” that is virtually guaranteed to work – didn’t for Andrew. The “Earn a Build-A-Bear Trip” reward for the certain child that went consecutively 14 days without wetting his/her bed overnight – once earned, proved that we were not past the challenge (but they did enjoy the BaB trip and 5 Guys afterwards). Silly examples of how “real” raising four kids is. And yet, no matter how challenging, it’s a privilege.

There are many encouragements. One of our kids that did everything possible last year to delay completing a workbook page, this school year she jumped right in and is diligent and focused. She did some school in my office this morning and some how left her school pages down here (along with her pencil box and all its contents spread out). She had worked on them without my assistance and completed four pages perfectly. She was watching the clock the entire time so she didn’t miss the start of the next subject. Quality work, time awareness, excitement for school = pretty great.

Abigail MaxwellAbby is highly capable; she loves structure and serving. She decided we needed something fun to go with dinner last night and pulled out her kids’ Nourishing Traditions cookbook and made parfaits, complete with home-made whipped cream–“Sweetened with maple syrup”, she said, “better for us than sugar.” (The link is a Titus2 Amazon affiliate link; you can read Titus2’s Privacy Policy here.)

Bethany MaxwellBethany has a quick smile and can cram a 10-minute dish drying project into 45. But, she’s happy the entire time and does a super job. She recently decided she was lead on apple washing for our first round of apple-sauce making. She washed the vast majority of 3 bushels of apples and still wanted to help in other areas. She is the exact opposite of Abby when it comes to structure – she likes freedom and flexibility.

Christina has a vocabulary that, at times, I think is more extensive Christina Maxwellthan mine. She and I are heart buddies. There’s times she and I can connect when no one else can with her. Melanie thinks it’s because of the special time she and I had right after her birth while Melanie was waking up from anesthesia. I think it’s because she’s a carbon copy of Melanie. Since I happen to like the Melanie personality pretty well (enough to marry it!), Christina and I getting along well is a natural. Maybe we’re both right.

Andrew Maxwell with Aunt Anna MaxwellAndrew is a little boy. He is pretty much always a bit sweaty, and if outside – a bit wet (he finds water to play in everywhere, or is having a diaper issue – or both). He loves putting rocks in the outside air-conditioner (and is currently grounded to the deck), is a mosquito magnet, never stands still, and is thrilled to now know what a penguin says. He picked this up after our recent trip to the St. Louis zoo. In case you are wondering, it’s Meee-au, emphasis on the first syllable. Some of his extended family have mistakenly thought it was a cat sound, but he’s assured them it’s quite different.

Melanie is pretty tired this pregnancy. Being a homeschool mom is not a cake-walk (as so many of you know). She’s a trooper and thrilled to be carrying this little one.

Life is challenging, but we are grateful for it. As a couple that didn’t know whether we could have children – raising four and expecting a fifth is a tremendous blessing. We are exceedingly blessed by our kiddos and love our life with them – pouring ours into theirs.

A happy dad,
Nathan

“Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine
by the sides of thine house:
thy children like olive plants
round about thy table.”
Psalm 128:3

A Country Get Together

It's wonderful having big sisters who will help you out on the swing.
It’s wonderful having big sisters who will help you out on the swing.

Nathan and Melanie hosted an amazing campfire-hot dog roast-s’mores-fellowship in the country recently. They invited friends and family and so there was quite a group of us.

Nathan had a special activity for the children. He had a list of trivia questions relating to the adults in the group, so the kids went around, asking the different people if they were the person in the question (ie: who grew up in Indonesia as a missionary’s kid or who was friends with the soldiers at the end of World War II?). It was an awesome way for the kids to learn to interact with the adults.

The fellowship was great, the food delicious, and the temperatures warm until the sun set. 🙂

Love,
Sarah

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GiGi, Tina, and Mom
GiGi, Tina, and Mom
Drew is such a handsome little guy.
Drew is such a handsome little guy.
Holding Daniel
Holding Daniel
What a lineup!
What a lineup!
Tina wanted to roast her own hotdog.
Tina wanted to roast her own hotdog.

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John, Drew, Anna, Mary, and Liddy
John, Drew, Anna, Mary, and Liddy

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Jesse
Jesse
Tina
Tina
Abby
Abby
Sunset
Sunset

“… Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts:
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Isaiah 6:3

Happy 22nd Birthday, Jesse!

Jesse MaxwellHappy Birthday, Jesse (and we’re actually home this year!)!

We are grateful for your love for Jesus. You are purposeful, creative, driven to excel, and have a genuine heart for others. It’ll be exciting to see what the Lord has in store for your future.

Happy Birthday!

 

Love,
Dad, Mom, Sarah, John, Anna, and Mary

Jesse Maxwell

“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD;
that walketh in his ways.”
Psalm 128:1

Final 2016 Colorado Post

Okay, so I want to wrap up our time in Colorado with these delightful campfire pictures. We were especially glad that it worked out during the time Joseph, Elissa, and Calia were with us.

And yes, time for some games of SpikeBall.
And yes, time for some games of SpikeBall.

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Calia knows how to give high-fives: her daddy taught her.
Calia knows how to give high-fives: her daddy taught her.
Calia and Anna
Calia and Anna

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Singing around the campfire

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Dad and Mom
Dad and Mom

And I couldn’t resist a picture Joseph took of the three Maxwell sisters.

Mary, Sarah, and Anna Maxwell
Mary, Sarah, and Anna Maxwell

“The fear of the LORD tendeth to life:
and he that hath it shall abide satisfied;
he shall not be visited with evil.”
Proverbs 19:23