At our moving sale the other day the kids and Grammy set up a table of the bracelets, potholders and cookies they had made to try and earn some more money for their ministry, H.C.I.N.  We really didn’t have much business so they didn’t get many customers but they did come away from the experience with a few life lessons and the recipients of some blessings. Here are a few of the highlights:

1) The lesson of patience: They have been waiting for months for us to have some kind of a yard sale so they could set up an H.C.I.N. table.  In preparation, the kids and Grammy would have endless conversations about what kind of cookies they should make, if they should sell drinks, how much they should ask for the potholders and jewelry they were making, etc.

2) The lesson of planning: The kids recently used almost all of their H.C.I.N. funds to purchase 2 new backpacks and fill them with school supplies for needy children in our area. Because of that, when it came time to buy the supplies to make cookies they found themselves a little short. They didn’t actually count the money before they went into the store with Grammy.

3) Receiving a blessing: When they got to the checkout and realized they were short on cash, they started to count out their coins. An elderly gentleman who was in line behind them gave the cashier 5 dollars to help them pay the total.  After Grammy explained what they were doing with the supplies, he told her and the kids about a ministry he had been involved in up north.

4) Receiving a blessing: A lady who stopped by the yard sale gave them 5 dollars (one for each of them) just because she wanted to donate. They were so excited and kept saying “Mommy, she gave FIVE DOLLARS for NOTHING!”

Giving our children the freedom to create and run H.C.I.N. has taught them so much more than I ever would have imagined!  They have even decided who will hold what official title and position. Grammy is Director of Operations, Foster is the President and Katie is the Vice-President. I haven’t been told to which responsibilities Theodore, Parker and Jonah will be assigned.