LIFE’S CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS

We have had a nice summer so far. We live in Eagle, Idaho on five acres. There is a large main house and 3 smaller apartments. Extensive remodeling is going on in the main house and an above the ground pool just added. Everything is looking better and better as the summer progresses. Then at about 4am yesterday morning a loud noise woke up part of the household and surprisingly enough some of us slept through it.

Nobody knew what made the noise until we got up in the morning. A portion of a big old cottonwood tree fell during the night and hit one of our cars parked in the driveway. A basketball standard deflected the tree a little so it only smashed the right fender and trunk of the car.

As we stood and looked at the damage done to the car and the sight of that massive tree lying clear across the driveway. We felt thankful. Thankful that no one was hurt and we realized the damage could have been much worse.

We all know that we will face problems and challenges as we move through life. The big question is how will we react to these problems and challenges and how can we help our children to face up to adversity and come out winners on the other side.

I will post some books today that you can read and discuss with your children.

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY by Judith Viorst

This book is a funny story about the bad day Alexander is having. It is a cute book to use to start discussing Life's Challenges and problems that your children will meet.

THE GHOST-EYE TREE by Bill Martin,Jr. and John Archambault

The little boy in this story has to go with his sister, after dark, to the end of town and get milk. The problem is they have to walk past The Ghost-Eye Tree and he is afraid of the tree. The tree looks at him as he passes, moans and reaches out for him. Good book to open discussions about being afraid.

EMMANUEL'S DREAM: THE TRUE STORY OF EMMANUEL OFOSU YEBOAH by Laurie Ann Thompson & Sean Qualls

This book tells the story about Emmanuel who lives in Ghana. He has one good leg and bad leg. He learns how to do many things such as hop two miles to school. This book is a beautiful story about him overcoming his handicap.