I mentioned in yesterday's blog that this is the first year we have intentionally taught all three boys about character traits that are important to our family.  Here are a couple of pictures of the little ones signing (in Asher's case "scribbling") their name to their Family Values Contract (below).

Honor – Prefer – Encourage

September 9, 2011

We Honor our Parents, Prefer our Brothers, and Encourage Others. 

We Honor our Parents...

“Honor your father and your mother as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long and that it may go well with you” (Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:1-3)

To honor means to obey and respect. Coming when you are called and picking up your things joyfully without talking back are ways that you can honor us each day.

We Prefer our Brothers…

“Be devoted to one another in Brotherly Love; in honor preferring one another.” (Romans 12:10)

Preferring means to put another first. Serving each other the biggest slice of cake, helping another clean up their mess, and letting a brother choose the night’s movie are ways you can put another first.

We Encourage Others…

“Encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

When you use your words to make friends, team mates, neighbors and school pals feel good, you are encouraging them and building them up.

With your help and God’s Spirit at work in my life, I can do this,   (this is where the boys sign)

We know you can do this and promise to encourage you with our love, our words, and when needed our discipline,   (we sign Dad & Mom)