We closed out 2025 with a trip back to China! The main purpose of our trip was to receive some training in an English teaching method that we want to incorporate into our work here in the Philippines. I’ll share more on that in another post!
When our fellowship group heard that we would be in town, they asked if we would be willing to lead a seminar for their Saturday young adults meeting. One need that they are seeing is encouragement in marriage and parenting. Since Casey and I are experts on marriage and parenting, we agreed to lead it. (Just kidding! Of course we are not experts.) But with my background in early childhood education, I received a lot of training in Conscious Discipline that I thought I could share. We also thought we could share our own journey in the joys and struggles of marriage.
On our wedding day, we decided to incorporate Jesus’ example of washing his disciples feet and calling on them to serve one another in this way. So we decided to make this the theme of our marriage and parenting seminar. Just as our marriage started out with us washing each others feet, we also try to care for one another and serve one another as a family. We focused on 1 Peter 4:8-10 “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”
The seminar went well, with over 40 people in attendance. We had great conversations around healthy practices in marriage, approaches to healthy parenting, and an introduction to Conscious Discipline. We also had open, honest discussions about the challenges that arise in both areas.
The fellowship then gave a gift to each attendee of a towel so they too can go out and serve one another in love. We loved getting to be back with our group and see the young adult ministry thriving. We were honored to be a part of it that week and are excited about continued partnerships like this!
