2013 in Review ~Sigre Unverzagt

 Dad had a big year; he turned 50!

Also, he, Sigre, and Emma went to Hungary in August and really enjoyed it.

Mom had a big scare this year with a heart attack in April. Thankfully she recovered very well and is fine now, and remains healthy! Also, she got a wonderful opportunity to go to San Francisco with Grandma (Dad's mom) and Auntie Gina.

Mom is very thankful for Grandma's (Dad's mom) coming out once a week to be a teacher's aid, something Mom has always wanted!

Analaya is keeping busy and enjoys working at three different jobs: a receptionist, a nanny, and a caretaker. She loves living in the cities close to Gretchen and Ryan. She had fun playing softball on a church team this summer. But even more than that, she loves spending time with Tim Haagenson, who recently came home to meet the fam. He was a big hit with everyone!

This year Gretchen graduated from the WTC nursing program! 

She works in home health care in Minneapolis and got her dream position in OB at the hospital in Black River Falls on weekends. So we see her at home more often, and we are all happy about that. Ryan is working as a server at The Newsroom in downtown Minneapolis and will be returning to school to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.

Britton went to Brazil for four months this summer to work alongside missionaries.  Among the many, many things he did there, he went repelling one day. He begins college in January.

The separation seems like it was hard for Britton, but who's to say for Leif. :)

 Leif went on lots of trips this year: Texas, Chicago, and the U.P. He is currently in Sweden for a nine-month stay, going to a Bible school in Holsby Brunn.

 The picture above is from the boys' trip to the U.P.

Sigre, the smartest, funniest, and best-behaved child got her driver's license this year and enjoys driving a lot. She also got the wonderful chance to go back to Hungary with her dad and bring Emma this time, too!

 Emma got her ears pierced, her tonsils out, and got confirmed this year. Lots of the family came to see her get confirmed.

She somehow managed to look about perfect while in the hospital to get her tonsils out. Having said that, it was a long, painful process.

Zofeyah is playing basketball again this year and loves it. She joined Berit in playing soccer and likes that, too. Also, she got a buck this year hunting with Dad! The whole family is enjoying the meat.

Berit played soccer for a 2nd year in a row and then decided to try out basketball as well. She loves both!

Anders spends most, if not all, of his time either watching or playing football or basketball. He is currently very into football, so this year he spent his birthday money to buy himself a football outfit.

Finn started riding his bike, and started school this year! He keeps very busy all the time and loves to show us his newest project. He schemes a lot to find a way to make money. This was his most recent attempt, and he made quite a bit for a little boy.

(The sign says, "Please put money in the pail.")

Bronwyn is always jumping around and getting into trouble, so no one was very shocked when she broke her arm and her leg (at different times) this year, bringing the total of broken bones up to three. For a five-year-old, that's pretty good!





Have a very Merry Christmas, and God's blessings on you in 2014!

Keeping the Christian faith… in your kids

         
*Article by Analaya Unverzagt for Summer 2013 youth group Parents Newsletter.*

We’ve all heard Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” But what on earth does that look like practically? Here’s what I’ve observed about how I was raised and what helped me choose to love the Lord. The role of a parent in the life of a child is far deeper than feeding, clothing, and keeping them alive until they’re out on their own, especially when parents are also training their children in the Lord. This is what helped influenced me.

Relationships. If parents don’t have a good relationship with their kids why would the child choose to believe what the parents tell them about God? Spend lots of time with your kids. Have fun with them! We older kids have great fun spending time with our parents. In fact, I’ve heard directly from my mother’s mouth that one of her favorite times is when us “big kids” hang out in the kitchen visiting with her. We even get special privileges to sit on the counter (why sit on a chair when there’s a counter?!). When the little kids try that mom says, “Only the big kids are allowed to be on the counter. When you’re a teenager and choose to spend time with your mom you can sit on the counter too!” It’s not just about the parent child relationship but more importantly the parent’s relationship with Christ. I think children first view God through their parent’s example. So it’s important we practice what we preach. If someone is trying to convince you of something, you want to see that their actions follow through with their teaching. Otherwise, why would you listen? If you tell your kids it’s not right to gossip then they better not hear you doing it. If you want them to have daily devotions then sit down with your Bible out in the open where your kids can see you spending time on your relationship with Christ. If you want your kids to go to church then they need to see how important it is to you. We go to church to worship the Lord and serve others. We don’t skip because we’re tired, or gas prices are high, or because of sports. What are your kids seeing as priorities in the family?

Set reasonable expectations. Kids don’t need expectations so high they fail every time. Often those same parents are also unwilling to admit when they’re wrong or ask for forgiveness. My dad is great at admitting when he’s wrong and asking forgiveness. In fact, he’s even gained respect from other people’s kids because of that. Asking your kids to forgive you is something they’ll never forget. Be an example of Christ by loving your kids whether they meet your expectations or not. And always admit when you’re wrong.

Pray as a family. And especially pray for your kids. Let them know you pray for them. Occasionally my mom will say something like, “I’ve been thinking a lot about you and your concern about finding a job…” Or “I’ve been praying for you today.” It always makes me feel incredibly loved. My mother who has fifty other children *large number added for emphasis!* and one hundred million things to do a day *large number not exaggerated for emphasis* has been thinking and praying specifically for me and my life. Finding a job isn’t my mom’s problem. We don’t even live in the same state. Yet she cares enough to spend time thinking and praying about what happens in my life. Her actions show that she truly cares and that I need to care about others and pray for them as well. John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” These subtle things my parents do are reinforcements of what Jesus tells us in scripture.

Study the scripture with your kids. We’ve done family devotions different ways over the years. But I remember many nights reading The Child’s Story Bible, singing hymns, and praying together. It’s so important to talk about Jesus and the Bible frequently in the house. If it feels awkward to throw scripture and Jesus into everyday conversations, then that’s a red flag that you’re not talking about Him enough.

Show your kids you rely on God in real, concrete ways. When financial crisis comes up and God meets that need, talk to your kids about it. Was someone sick who got better after you prayed for them? Let your kids see that things aren’t about chance or luck. It’s the result of prayer and trusting God. Everything must point to God in your daily life. How can I fathom a life without God when all I’ve known growing up involved Christ in every little aspect? Raising kids in godliness isn’t a parenting pattern or a 3-step program. Instead, we must constantly live lives for the Lord in front of the kids and pray for their spiritual wellbeing. And God will take care of the rest.