What Are You Feeding Your Kids?

Big Thinking Precedes Great Achievement! - Wilferd Peterson

A few years ago, J. Scott, our oldest, had started playing football, and lifting weights when he came to me saying that he needed to get bigger.  He asked if I knew anything about putting on weight...I said, "Son, I have been putting on weight for the last 20 years...Do I know about putting on weight?" I told him putting on weight is the easy part.  You simply have to take in more calories than you burn, a technique that I have evidently been perfecting...

But seriously, getting big and strong in order to be the very best athlete that one can be is simple.  So for your young athlete, it's important that they eat right, get the right mix of proteins and carbohydrates, avoid sugary snacks, stay off of sodas completely, and stay hydrated during the day.  What they put in their body is an important determining factor in how they will perform and the results that they will achieve.

However, what they put in their body is but a small part of what will help them become all the God intends them to become.  What you feed them mentally, is perhaps, even more important as they seek to make their dreams become reality.  

We spent the last 10 years going to watch the world's greatest violist perform in places ranging from an elementary school cafetorium to The Bass Hall in Fort Worth.  We have watched the world's greatest tuba player amaze instructors and directors, as, according to one Band Director, "he does things on the tuba that I've never heard anyone his age do."  We have cheered on the world's strongest young man as he competes in, and medals in power-lifting meets.  We watch the world's fastest 15 year old steal bases standing up, while competing against the very best select baseball teams.  What I'm trying to say is that we feed our kids encouragement, and lots of it.  Now don't get me wrong, we are realistic as well.  One of the things that I have always told them is that there will always be people in life more talented than you...However, there will be no one who works harder than you do.  We have filled them with positive thoughts, instilled good work habits, and help them to set goals for what they want in life.  When you exit Braylen's room, you see the handwritten sign above his door that reads, "The greatest there is, the greatest there ever was, and the greatest there will ever be."  "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." - Proverbs 23:7

And finally, the most important ingredient on their way to success, the spiritual food.  We have been blessed to be part of an amazing church from the time the boys were babies until this day.  We took seriously as parents the charge that we were given to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." - Ephesians 6:4  When God entrusted us with these two amazing gifts, we took to heart his advice to "train up a child in the way he should go." - Proverbs 22:6  We strive every day to help both our boys in doing a daily devotion, read their bibles and be Godly examples to those around them.  And we give God the glory for all He has done!

Now with all of that said, let me say this, we are not done yet.  While we have two amazing boys, who are achieving great things, we still have a way to go.  We continually bathe them in prayer, remain ever available as we continue to train, drive, inspire, discipline and encourage them to be all that God has in store for them.

Big Thinking Precedes Great Achievement!  What are you feeding your kids?  

Join us today as we take a look at our kid's diets and begin to make the adjustments that we need to make in order to give our kids every opportunity to become all that God intends for them to become!  And don't forget "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

Who Hasn't Enjoyed a Taco from Jack in the Box?

Throughout the years, Team Gage has been truly blessed!  And today is no exception.  Today, the day before Thanksgiving we were able to share in a day of new experiences with a couple of things that we take for granted.  And for these things, and much more, we are truly thankful.  Sometimes it's the little things that count the most.

Tonight we took a trip to the Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine, Texas.  Tonight Team Gage consisted of Mom, Dad, the two boys AND their girlfriends.  Our purpose was to capture the Christmas Season in a couple, or a thousand pictures with the hope that one would be deemed good enough to make the Christmas Card...What we didn't know, and had taken for granted was that neither girl had ever been to the Gaylord at Christmas time.  Needless to say, we had a great time walking around, looking at the beautiful scenery, lights, huge Santa boots, colorful trees, and even hearing the occasional drumbeat from the "little" toy drummer.  It was a great way to start the Holiday Season and worth every minute to see the smiles on everyone's faces.  

The biggest shocker though was when we decided to get something to eat.  We decided to stop for tacos at Jack in the Box.  That is when we learned that one of the girls had never had a Jack in the Box taco...Needless to say, they were a hit!  

And that's when it hit me...Discovering new things, trying things for the first time brings anticipation, excitement, wonder, maybe a little nervous feeling, but many times we find out that it is worth all of that and more.  Now, maybe that overstates the taco experience, but think about it...

Take time this Thanksgiving to remember some firsts and then just say, "Thank You, God", for letting me experience these wonderful things...Here are a few suggestions...

Remember the first time you held your spouse's hand...Remember the first time you shared, "I Love You"...Remember that first date...Remember that first time you saw your wife as she walked down the aisle...Remember the first time you were announced as Mr. and Mrs...

If you've been blessed to have kids, remember the first time you ever laid eyes on that bundle of joy...Remember the first smile, the first giggle...Remember the first time you heard the word "Da Da" or "Ma Ma"...Remember the first time you sent them off to school and the tears that accompanied...Remember the first victory, the first triumph, the first school play, or first athletic game...

Remember the first time Dad showed you how to throw a ball, or ride a bike...Remember the first time Mom showed you how to color in the lines, or make cookies...Remember the first time you thought, "I sounded a bit like Mom or Dad", and then realized that wasn't a bad thing. 

And finally, remember the first time you realized that Jesus Christ paid a price we couldn't pay...Remember the peace that filled your soul as you called upon Him for salvation...

From our Team to yours...Take time this Thanksgiving to Thank God for some firsts in your life, to ask Him to bless you with many more...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Team Gage