Blind Quilter

Special Assembly is really encouraging!...

      Today we have our Special Assembly Day at Lubbock Texas. We stay at Holiday Inn friday night. Most of thier people on that night are Jehovah's Witnesses it is because the place where we held our Assembly located at the back of Holiday Inn. We wake up early to prepare ourselves and so that we have enough time to buy something to eat for breakfast because the hotel where we stay dont have free breakfast.
     Then our theme of our Special Assembly is Take Refuge In Jehovah-Psalm 118:8,9.We start at 9:40 end at 12:05 for our morning session and then 1:20pm start for our afternoon and end at 3:55 pm....We are all have a happy face inside the hall because assemblies refresh our spiritual needs.Before the meeting start friends are exchanging experiences. But after the meeting we talk to our friends a little bit and hit the road again because we need to drive 3 hours from Lubbock to Roswell (home)...Maybe i will post pictures tomorrow.......hope you enjoy visiting my blog.....Take care always guys!Good night....
      

Sing Praises to JEHOVAH # 222

The name of Jehovah shall be declared in all the earth

Song 112 - Great God Jehovah

Song 24 - Keep Your Eyes on the Prize ! - Sing to Jehovah songbook

Ever Loyal To Jehovah. Song 63 - Sing to Jehovah

Sing to Jehovah No. 089

Sing to Jehovah No. 089

He Will Call (Sing to Jehovah) song 111.wmv

Sing to Jehovah #075) Our Reasons for Joy (English)

Song 77 - Be Forgiving - Sing to Jehovah songbook

This is the way to Life! Song 65 - Sing to Jehovah

Song 95 - Taste and See that Jehovah is Good - Sing to Jehovah songbook

Sing to Jehovah - "My Father, My God and Friend" Song # 91 +Lyrics (New ...

Song 60 - He Will Make You Strong - Sing to Jehovah songbook

See Yourself When All Is New

Don't Give Up

Would You Like to Live FOREVER (music by Kent Morrill) Video by LlarryCote'

Re: My heart will go on - karaoke tribute to Titanic

My heart will go on - karaoke tribute to Titanic

Jehovah's Witnesses: [VIDEO] Brutal persecution outside a Bulgarian KH ...

Jehovah's Witnesses: [VIDEO] Brutal persecution outside a Bulgarian KH ...: "Our brothers had a brutal experience during their Memorial Celebration in Bulgaria yesterday. Italian brothers received this ..."

Why The Earth Not A Paradise Now?

   Adam and Eve disobeyed God, so they were driven outof Eden. Paradise was lost, and no man has succeded in restoring it. The Bible says:"Earth itself has been giveninto the hand of a wicked one."- Job 9:24 and also red Genesis 3:23,24 in your own Bible copy.
   But Jehovah has not forgotten his original purpose for mankind, nor can God ever fail.(Isaiah 45:18) He will restore the human race to the way he meant it to be.-Read Psalm 37:11.

My Miracle by Jonalyn Viray

Commemoration of Jesus Death

     We just finish our memorial tonight start at 7pm at Spring River Congregation, Roswell. Im happy but at the same time sad. You know why? Im happy that my husband went to our Kingdom Hall w/ us to attend the Memorial but it sad because he stay at the car and listening to phone only. Because he is so nervous arround w/ so many people.
     He has postromatic stress and he dont like being in the crowd and also he dont like being inside close building. Thats 1 reason why we really wanna go back and live in Philippines because our Kingdom Hall there are open even our Assembly Halls. Most of the time he listen our meetings thru phone thats why sometime its really hard for me to be there in meeting w/out my husband. But I really need to understand my husband because of his situation. Even his doctor explain it to me that I need to understand him so here I am need to be patient to my Yogi bear.
    But I really really love my husband. He is so lovely, funny, responsible, simple and I think most qualities that I want to a husband is in Him. He is a blessing from Jehovah and I can't ask anything more. He don't want me to work because he want me to focus my Pioneering Career here in USA. At first  I really want a job but now its ok if I dont work so that I can take care my Yogi specially every now and then he's not feeling well. Simple life is what we want. Even we dont have much money but we are still happy all the time.
     I really hope all my friends here  will be happy as we are...
    Good night to all of you guys! 

Its Wednesday But Its Look Like Monday To me....hahay!

  Today I go out at 7 am for early service w/2 other sisters in our congregation. We approach people outside hotels and at gasoline stations but lot of people say "NO THANK YOU". But its ok atleast we do our responsibility for Jehovah. Mostly we have lots of refuse during MONDAY's thats why I told to my friends that today I feel like its monday.
     Then at 9 am to 12 noon me and 1 sister cover a big territory at rural areas....every house has 2 or more dogs so, sometime we hesitate to get in and knock thier door because sometimes thier dogs hides under thier porch or under bushes. And I never been bitten by the dog and I dont want too, dogs makes me scared in doing field service. And we did'nt finish the territory because we are only 2 who do house to house in that area.....
    Then around 11 am my head start hurting again maybe because of too much sun. Then when I got home before I will sit down and rest I need to take care our dogs too. I need to bring Chia outside so that she can do her duty. Then after Chia I need to take care Gabby(the preggy 1) because she is in our bedroom so i need to make sure to pick up her mess in her playpen.
   Everyday is my busy day because of our pets. Before I can eat lunch I take care them first. They are our babies here in our house and they make my life busy here in USA.........

THATS ALL FOR NOW! Take care all of you...! :)  

If we just hold on w/ lyrics

This song is my favorite also...I dont have a golden voice but still i can sing specially if Im alone hehehe... I love to sing but the problem is the song donmt love me...... sorry im a little NUT...;little only :)

i know by yasmien kurdi (lyrics)

I like this song too.....Its look like this song is fit to me. I like the lyrics which makes me think that to stay simple is better than to be  ambitious more than what you can reach.. .and I always simple every now and then....we only want to have a simple life..

Iingatan Ka ( by: Carol Banawa)

This is 1 of my favorite song,w/c make me cry . Specially if I got upset of something I just listen to this song . Even I cry its okay because crying makes me feel better... I am weird, right? but thats the truth. I really like this song since the 1st  time I heard this song. Im not idolized actors, actress and singers but Im not panatic too. If I like thier movie i watch it even i dont know who are the characters the same in songs that even i dont know who sing it I listen to it if I like it. 

1st time to Join Flea Market!

   Today is our first time to join in flea market inside at Roswell Adult Center from 7 am to 1 pm but we stop at 12. All we bring are tinnie babies, barbies, darts and 1 titanic colectable. We pay 1 dollar only for our table and all we do are sitting pretty there watching people hehehhe. And the money that we got from flea market we gonna use it to pay hotel room for our special assembly this coming April 23. Im happy because we dont need to used credit card again. We wanna pay our debt so that we can go back in Philippines. And this coming August we have another Flea Market at the same place and we hope we can sell more than what we did today......

Ads in Gmail and your personal data

Ads in Gmail and your personal data

More Wind More Dust!

     When I wake up this morning I said that today is a good day.Until we went to our Kingdom Hall to attend our christian meeting at 10 o'clock it is still nice outside. But when I got home the wind start and the dust are everywhere. Until at this time almost 7 o'clock already but the wind doesn't stop and if you look outside you would think that maybe we're having rain beacause of the cloud. But no thats because of the dust cover the whole Roswell.
     It is really hard if you stay at the place where we live. Specially to the people that has an allergy like me. The doctor told me before that I should avoid so much dust and  cigarettes smoke but where i gonna go that theres no dust? Like here in Roswell that we always encounter so much wind.
      Last week I suffer a severe pain from my left side thats why I didn't go out in field service in whole week, I really feel bad about it and now here the wind come and make my nose bleed 'coz of my allergy...Its really not fun if you live where we at...

Why God Allow Suffering?

Why Does God Allow Us to Suffer?
	Why? 'GOD, Why Did You Allow This?'

In this series: 'God, Why Did You Allow This?' Comfort for Those Who Suffer Related topics: How to Help a Friend Who Is Ill Why Does God Permit Suffering? Comfort for the Afflicted		RICARDO still remembers sitting with his wife, Maria, in the doctor's waiting room. * Neither of them had the courage to read the results of Maria's latest medical examinations. Then, Ricardo opened the envelope, and they hastily glanced over the medical language of the report. They spotted the word "cancer," and both began to cry as they realized the full import of that word. "The doctor was very kind," recalls Ricardo, "but he obviously realized the gravity of the situation because he kept telling us that we had to trust in God." The doctor kept telling us that we had to trust in God Before radiation treatment had begun, Maria's doctor noticed involuntary movements in her right foot. Further tests revealed that the cancer had spread to her brain. After just one week of treatment, the radiation was suspended. Maria slipped into a coma and died two months later. "I was glad that her suffering had ended," explains Ricardo, "but I missed her so much that I found myself wishing that my life would come to an end too. Often, I would cry out to God: 'Why did you allow this to happen?'" When Tragedy Strikes, Questions Abound Like Ricardo, countless people throughout the world are forced to face up to the reality of suffering. Many times, it is the innocent who suffer. Think of the heartrending grief caused by the relentless armed conflicts that plague mankind. Or consider the pain felt by the numerous victims of rape, child abuse, domestic violence, and other evils committed by man. Throughout history there seems to have been no limit to the injustice and pain that men and women have been willing to inflict on one another. (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3) Then there is the anguish of victims of natural disasters or of emotional, mental, and physical illnesses. It is little wonder that many ask, "Why does God allow such suffering?" Even for those with religious convictions, suffering is never easy to deal with. You too may wonder what reason a loving, all-powerful God could possibly have for permitting human suffering. Finding a satisfying and truthful answer to this puzzling question is vital for our peace of mind and our relationship with God. The Bible provides such an answer. Please consider what it has to say as presented in the following article. *  Names have been changed.

Appeared in The Watchtower  January 1, 2003

Helping Friends How?

How to Help a Friend
WHO IS ILL

Related topics:

• Why Does God Allow Us to Suffer?
• Comforting the Terminally Ill

HAVE you ever been at a loss for words when talking to a friend who is seriously ill? Rest assured that you can meet this challenge. How? There are no hard-and-fast rules. Cultural differences may be involved. People’s personalities may also differ greatly. Thus, what may make one sick person feel better may not be helpful to another. And circumstances and feelings might vary considerably from one day to the next.
So the overriding need is for you to try to put yourself in the individual’s place and find out what he or she really wants and needs from you. How can you go about doing this? Here are a few suggestions that are based on Bible principles.

Be a Good Listener

BIBLE PRINCIPLES:

• “Every man must be swift about hearing, slow about speaking.”—JAMES 1:19.
• “There is . . . a time to keep quiet and a time to speak.”—ECCLESIASTES 3:1, 7.

 When visiting a friend who is ill, listen attentively and sympathetically. Do not rush to provide advice or feel that you always have to come up with a solution. In a hurry to express yourself, you might inadvertently blurt out something that could hurt. Your ill friend is not necessarily looking for answers but for someone who will listen with an open heart and mind.
Let your friend express himself freely. Do not cut him short, trivializing his condition with clichés. “I had fungal meningitis and ended up losing my eyesight,” says Emílio.* “Sometimes I feel really down, and friends try to comfort me by saying: ‘You are not the only one with problems. There are people who are worse off.’ However, little do they know that minimizing my condition is of no help to me. On the contrary, it has an adverse effect, making me despondent.”
Allow your friend to pour out his heart without fear of criticism. If he tells you that he is afraid, acknowledge his feelings rather than simply telling him not to be fearful. “When I am apprehensive about my condition and break down in tears, it does not mean that I don’t trust in God anymore,” says Eliana, who is battling cancer. Make an effort to see your friend as he is, not as you want him to be. Take into account that he may be vulnerable now and is not his usual self. Be patient. Listen—even if it means hearing the same things over and over again. (1 Kings 19:9, 10, 13, 14) He may feel the need to share with you what he is experiencing.

Be Empathetic and Considerate

BIBLE PRINCIPLES:

• “Rejoice with people who rejoice; weep with people who weep.”—ROMANS 12:15.
• “All things . . . that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.”—MATTHEW 7:12.

 Put yourself in your friend’s shoes. If he is preparing for surgery, undergoing treatment, or waiting for test results, he may be tense and tend to be quite sensitive. Try to recognize this and adapt to his mood swings. This may not be the time to ask too many questions, especially personal ones.
“Allow patients to talk about their illness when they want to and at their own pace,” says Ana Katalifós, a clinical psychologist. “When they are willing to chat, talk with them on whatever subject they may choose. But when they are not in the mood for talking, you may just sit in silence, and a friendly hand to hold can do wonders. Or you may find that all they need is a shoulder to cry on.”
Respect your friend’s privacy. Author Rosanne Kalick, twice a cancer survivor, writes: “In taking your cues from the patient, assume that what is said to you is confidential. Unless you are asked to be the family spokesperson, don’t give out information. Ask the patient what he is willing to share.” Edson, a cancer survivor, says: “A friend spread the word that I had cancer and that I would not live very long. Mind you, I had just had surgery. I knew that I had cancer, but I was waiting for the results of the biopsy. There was no metastasis. But the harm was done. My wife was devastated by the thoughtless comments and questions from others.”
If your friend is weighing treatment options, do not be quick to say what you would do in his or her situation. Writer Lori Hope, a cancer survivor, says: “Before sending articles or news of any kind to a cancer patient or survivor, it’s best to ask whether they would like to receive such news. Otherwise, your well-meaning gesture could hurt your friend, and you might never know it.” Not everyone wants to be flooded with a huge amount of information about different kinds of medical treatments.
Even if you are a close friend, do not overstay your welcome. Your presence is very important, but your friend may not feel up to socializing with you. He may be tired and have little energy to talk or even to listen for very long. On the other hand, avoid giving the impression that you are in a hurry to leave. Your friend deserves to see how much you care.
Showing consideration involves using balance and good judgment. For example, before preparing a meal for a sick friend or even bringing him flowers, you might inquire about any allergies that he may have. If you are sick, perhaps with a cold, the loving thing would be to wait until you are well before you visit your friend.

Be Upbuilding

BIBLE PRINCIPLES:

• “The tongue of the wise ones is a healing.”—PROVERBS 12:18.
• “Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt.”—COLOSSIANS 4:6.

 If you keep a positive view of a friend who is ill, your words and actions will likely reveal it. Think of your friend as still being the same person and having the same qualities that made you feel drawn to him in the first place. Relate to him, not to his disease. If you talk to your friend as you would to a helpless victim, he may begin to see himself that way. Roberta, who has a rare genetic bone disease, says: “Treat me like a normal person. I am disabled, but I have my opinions and desires. Don’t look at me with an air of pity. Don’t talk to me as if I were stupid.”
Remember that it is not only what you say but how you say it that matters. Even your tone of voice can have an effect. Shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer, Ernesto received an international phone call from a friend, who said: “I can’t believe that you have cancer!” Ernesto recalls: “The intonation my friend gave to the ‘you’ and ‘cancer’ sent a chill down my spine.”
Author Lori Hope gives another example: “Asking ‘How are you?’ can mean many different things to a patient. Depending on the questioner’s tone of voice, body language, rapport, level of intimacy and, of course, timing, it can gently soothe a soul, inflict pain, or awaken a sleeping fear.”
A friend who is ill likely wants to feel cared for, understood, and respected. So assure the individual that he or she is very important to you and that you will be there to help. Rosemary, a brain-tumor patient, says: “What really encouraged me was to hear my friends say that they loved me and that they would be there for me no matter what.”—Proverbs 15:23; 25:11.

Be Helpful

BIBLE PRINCIPLE:

• “Let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth.”—1 JOHN 3:18.

 Needs will vary as your friend moves from diagnosis to treatment. But all during this time, he may need help. Rather than a general offer—“if you need anything, call me”—try to be specific. Offering to help with such daily activities as preparing meals, cleaning, washing, ironing, running errands, shopping, and driving your friend to and from the clinic or to the hospital for treatment are just a few of the practical ways to show that you care. Be dependable and punctual. Keep your word, and meet your commitments.—Matthew 5:37.
“Whatever we do, great or small, that bridges the gap between the patient’s worlds of illness and health will be helpful,” says author Rosanne Kalick. Sílvia, a two-time cancer survivor, agrees. “Having different friends drive me to another town daily for radiation was so relaxing and comforting! On the way, we talked about various subjects, and after the treatment, we always stopped at a coffee shop. This made me feel normal again.”
But do not assume that you know exactly what your friend needs. “Ask, ask, ask,” suggests Kalick. She adds: “In your desire to help, don’t take over. That can be counterproductive. If you let me do nothing, the message may be that I can do nothing. I need to feel competent. I need to feel that I am not a victim. Help me to do what I can.”
Your friend likely needs to feel capable. Adilson, who has AIDS, says: “When you are ill, you don’t want to be cast aside, as if you were good-for-nothing or totally incapable. You want to be of some help, even if it means doing minor tasks. It’s so good to feel that you are still capable of doing something! It gives you the incentive to go on living. I like for people to let me decide—and then respect my decisions. Being ill does not mean that we can’t go on fulfilling our function as father, mother, or whatever.”

Remain Connected

BIBLE PRINCIPLE:

• “A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress.”—PROVERBS 17:17.

 If you are unable to visit your friend because of distance or some other circumstances, you can call him up for a friendly chat, write a note, or send an e-mail. What can you write about? Alan D. Wolfelt, a grief counselor, suggests: “Reminisce about some of the fun times you’ve shared. Promise you’ll write . . . again soon—and then follow through on that promise.”
You need not hold back from reaching out to a friend who is ill, fearing that you may say the wrong thing or make mistakes. In many cases, it is your presence that really counts. In her book, Lori Hope writes: “All of us say and do things that can be misconstrued or can in some way inadvertently hurt someone. That’s not the problem. The problem arises when you are so afraid of making a mistake that you stay away from someone who needs you.”
A friend who is seriously ill may need you now more than ever. Prove to be “a true companion.” Your efforts to help may not make his pain disappear, but you may well make a difficult situation more bearable for someone you love.

---

*  Some names have been changed.

slide pictures

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr i try and try to post the slides pictures but i still dont know how...i'm really realy dummy..
:(...huhuhuhu can someone help me plsssss....?

I Miss My Family....!

Its really hard if you live far from your family....Right now my mind is always w/them specially both my parents are sick. Lots of Filipinos think thats if you are in other country you have a good life but not all the time.Its not easy to live here,specially if your sick you dont have a mother to help you. Yes Im happy w/ my husband because i know that He love me but he has a health problem too.Whereas if we live near our own family they are always there for us specially  our parents. So all of you out there be glad that you live  w/ your own family...
     Yes its true that here there's a lot of job and i can say that people here are rich compare what we are there back home but we are more happier there than here. Here we always eat frozen food not like there that we can eat fresh all the time. We are more healthy compare where we are right now..
      We really really wanna go home and stay there in Philippines. We love to live there because it is much cheaper compare where we at. We want a simple life only thats why we plan to go back at the place where i came from......Good night all of you and miss my whole family..

allergy, allergy, allergy! :(

Im not felling well again.....But I still need to do my responsibility.....like taking care of my lovely Yogi, taking care of our dogs and cats, doing laundry and cleaning our house. Even though im tired but its ok coz i enjoy my career as a full time ministry job and full time mommy to our pets :). During our field ministry today, I am w/ 3 older sisters. They decide not to do door to door because my allergy's getting bad......
    Good night to all.......

How to Make Your Family Life Happy

What is needed to be a good husband?
How can a woman succeed as a wife?
What is involved in being a fine parent?
How can children help to make family life happy?

JEHOVAH GOD wants your family life to be happy. His Word, the Bible, provides guidelines for each family member, describing the role that God wants each one to play. When family members fulfill their roles in harmony with God’s counsel, the results are very satisfying. Jesus said: “Happy are those hearing the word of God and keeping it!”—Luke 11:28.

Family happiness depends mainly on our recognizing that the family originates with Jehovah, the one Jesus called “Our Father.” (Matthew 6:9) Every family on earth exists because of our heavenly Father—and he certainly knows what makes families happy. (Ephesians 3:14, 15) So, what does the Bible teach about the role of each family member?

DIVINE ORIGIN OF HUMAN FAMILY

 Jehovah created the first humans, Adam and Eve, and brought them together as husband and wife. He put them in a beautiful earthly paradise home—the garden of Eden—and told them to have children. “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth,” said Jehovah. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18, 21-24) This is not just a story or a myth, for Jesus showed that what Genesis says about the start of family life is true. (Matthew 19:4, 5) Although we face many problems and life now is not as God purposed it to be, let us see why happiness within the family is possible.

 Each member of the family can help to make family life happy by imitating God in showing love. (Ephesians 5:1, 2) How, though, can we imitate God, since we cannot even see him? We can learn how Jehovah acts because he sent his firstborn Son from heaven to the earth. (John 1:14, 18) When on earth, this Son, Jesus Christ, imitated his heavenly Father so well that seeing and listening to Jesus was just like being with Jehovah and hearing Him. (John 14:9) Therefore, by learning about the love that Jesus showed and following his example, each one of us can help to make family life happier.

A MODEL FOR HUSBANDS

 The Bible says that husbands should treat their wives in the same way that Jesus treats his disciples. Consider this Bible direction: “Husbands, continue loving your wives, just as the Christ also loved the congregation and delivered up himself for it . . . In this way husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own flesh; but he feeds and cherishes it, as the Christ also does the congregation.”—Ephesians 5:23, 25-29.

 Jesus’ love for his congregation of disciples sets a perfect example for husbands. Jesus “loved them to the end,” sacrificing his life for them, even though they were far from perfect. (John 13:1; 15:13) Similarly, husbands are urged: “Keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them.” (Colossians 3:19) What will help a husband to apply such counsel, especially if his wife at times fails to act with discretion? He should remember his own mistakes and what he must do to receive God’s forgiveness. What is that? He must forgive those who sin against him, and that includes his wife. Of course, she should do the same. (Matthew 6:12, 14, 15) Do you see why some have said that a successful marriage is the union of two good forgivers?

 Husbands also do well to note that Jesus always showed consideration for his disciples. He took into account their limitations and physical needs. When they were tired, for example, he said: “Come, you yourselves, privately into a lonely place and rest up a bit.” (Mark 6:30-32) Wives too deserve thoughtful consideration. The Bible describes them as “a weaker vessel” to whom husbands are commanded to assign “honor.” Why? Because both husbands and wives share equally in “the undeserved favor of life.” (1 Peter 3:7) Husbands should remember that it is faithfulness, not whether a person is male or female, that makes one precious to God.—Psalm 101:6.

 The Bible says that a husband “who loves his wife loves himself.” This is because a man and his wife “are no longer two, but one flesh,” as Jesus pointed out. (Matthew 19:6) So they must limit their sexual interests to each other. (Proverbs 5:15-21; Hebrews 13:4) They can do this if they show unselfish concern for each other’s needs. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5) Noteworthy is the reminder: “No man ever hated his own flesh; but he feeds and cherishes it.” Husbands need to love their wives as they do themselves, remembering that they are accountable to their own head, Jesus Christ.—Ephesians 5:29; 1 Corinthians 11:3.

 The apostle Paul spoke of the ‘tender affection that Christ Jesus has.’ (Philippians 1:8) Jesus’ tenderness was a refreshing quality, one that was appealing to women who became his disciples. (John 20:1, 11-13, 16) And wives yearn for tender affection from their husbands

AN EXAMPLE FOR WIVES

 A family is an organization, and to operate smoothly, it needs a head. Even Jesus has One he submits to as his Head. “The head of the Christ is God,” just as “the head of a woman is the man.” (1 Corinthians 11:3) Jesus’ submission to God’s headship is a fine example, since all of us have a head to whom we must submit.

 Imperfect men make mistakes and often fall far short of being ideal family heads. So, what should a wife do? She should not belittle what her husband does or try to take over his headship. A wife does well to remember that in God’s view, a quiet and mild spirit is of great value. (1 Peter 3:4) By displaying such a spirit, she will find it easier to demonstrate godly subjection, even under trying circumstances. Furthermore, the Bible says: “The wife should have deep respect for her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33) But what if he does not accept Christ as his Head? The Bible urges wives: “Be in subjection to your own husbands, in order that, if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect.”—1 Peter 3:1, 2.

 Whether her husband is a fellow believer or not, a wife is not showing disrespect if she tactfully expresses an opinion that differs from his. Her viewpoint may be correct, and the whole family could benefit if he listened to her. Although Abraham did not agree when his wife, Sarah, recommended a practical solution to a certain household problem, God told him: “Listen to her voice.” (Genesis 21:9-12) Of course, when a husband makes a final decision that does not conflict with God’s law, his wife shows her subjection by supporting it.—Acts 5:29; Ephesians 5:24.
In fulfilling her role, a wife can do much in caring for the family. For example, the Bible shows that married women are “to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sound in mind, chaste, workers at home, good, subjecting themselves to their own husbands.” (Titus 2:4, 5) A wife and mother who acts in this way will gain the lasting love and respect of her family. (Proverbs 31:10, 28) Since marriage is a union of imperfect individuals, however, some extreme circumstances may result in separation or divorce. The Bible allows for separation under certain circumstances. Yet, separation must not be taken lightly, for the Bible counsels: “A wife should not depart from her husband; . . . and a husband should not leave his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:10, 11) And only fornication by one of the marriage mates provides Scriptural grounds for divorce.—Matthew 19:9.

A PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR PARENTS

 Jesus set a perfect example for parents in the way he treated children. When others tried to prevent the little ones from approaching Jesus, he said: “Let the young children come to me; do not try to stop them.” The Bible says that he then “took the children into his arms and began blessing them, laying his hands upon them.” (Mark 10:13-16) Since Jesus took time for little ones, should you not do the same for your own sons and daughters? They need, not small bits of your time, but large amounts of it. You need to take time to teach them, for that is what Jehovah instructs parents to do.—Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

As this world becomes ever more wicked, children need parents who will protect them from people who seek to harm them, such as sexual predators. Consider how Jesus protected his disciples, whom he affectionately called “little children.” When he was arrested and would soon be killed, Jesus made a way for them to escape. (John 13:33; 18:7-9) As a parent, you need to be alert to the Devil’s attempts to harm your little ones. You need to give them advance warning.* (1 Peter 5:8) Never before has the threat to their physical, spiritual, and moral safety been greater.
On the night before Jesus died, his disciples argued about who was greater among them. Rather than become angry with them, Jesus lovingly continued to appeal to them by word and example. (Luke 22:24-27; John 13:3-8) If you are a parent, can you see how you might follow Jesus’ example in the way you correct your children? True, they need discipline, but it should be given to “the proper degree” and never in anger. You would not want to speak thoughtlessly “as with the stabs of a sword.” (Jeremiah 30:11; Proverbs 12:18) Discipline should be delivered in such a way that your child will later see how appropriate it was.—Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:9-11.

A MODEL FOR CHILDREN

 Can children learn from Jesus? Yes, they can! By his own example, Jesus showed how children should obey their parents. “Just as the Father taught me,” he said, “I speak.” He added: “I always do the things pleasing to him.” (John 8:28, 29) Jesus was obedient to his heavenly Father, and the Bible tells children to obey their parents. (Ephesians 6:1-3) Although Jesus was a perfect child, he obeyed his human parents, Joseph and Mary, who were imperfect. That surely contributed to the happiness of every member of Jesus’ family!—Luke 2:4, 5, 51, 52.

 Can children see ways that they can be more like Jesus and make their parents happy? True, young ones may sometimes find it hard to obey their parents, but that is what God wants children to do. (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20) Jesus always obeyed his heavenly Father, even under difficult circumstances. Once, when it was God’s will that Jesus do something especially hard, Jesus said: “Remove this cup [a certain requirement] from me.” Nevertheless, Jesus did what God asked, because he realized that his Father knew best. (Luke 22:42) By learning to be obedient, children will make their parents and their heavenly Father very happy.^#—Proverbs 23:22-25.
The Devil tempted Jesus, and we can be sure that he will also tempt young ones to do what is wrong. (Matthew 4:1-10) Satan the Devil uses peer pressure, which can be hard to resist. How vital it is, then, that children not keep company with wrongdoers! (1 Corinthians 15:33) Jacob’s daughter Dinah kept company with those who did not worship Jehovah, and this led to a lot of trouble. (Genesis 34:1, 2) Think of how the family could be hurt if one of its members were to become involved in sexual immorality!—Proverbs 17:21, 25.

THE KEY TO FAMILY HAPPINESS

Family problems are easier to cope with when Bible counsel is applied. In fact, applying such counsel is the key to family happiness. So husbands, love your wife, and treat her as Jesus treats his congregation. Wives, submit to the headship of your husband, and follow the example of the capable wife described at Proverbs 31:10-31. Parents, train your children. (Proverbs 22:6) Fathers, ‘preside over your household in a fine manner.’ (1 Timothy 3:4, 5; 5:8) And children, obey your parents. (Colossians 3:20) None in the family are perfect, for all make mistakes. So be humble, asking one another for forgiveness.

 Truly, the Bible contains a wealth of valuable counsel and instruction regarding family life. Moreover, it teaches us about God’s new world and an earthly paradise filled with happy people who worship Jehovah. (Revelation 21:3, 4) What wonderful prospects lie ahead! Even now, we can enjoy happy family life by applying God’s instructions found in his Word, the Bible.

---