Consistency, discipline, accountability, and love are the essential ingredients of effective parenting. When any one of these is missing, the balance is lost, and the results can be challenging or even harmful. Like any important task, parenting requires a careful balance; without it, even the best methods can fail. Consider this scenario: you want your child to complete household chores, but you don’t consistently hold them accountable. Your child may do chores only when the

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is teaching them to engage with God’s Word every day. Children and teens are especially receptive to learning when we lead by example, modeling the habits we want them to develop. While it’s true that bad habits spread quickly, good habits can also be passed on if we approach them with love, patience, and consistency. Reading and reflecting on the Bible is a habit worth cultivating from an early age. We call our students Warr

“Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the flowers, kind deeds are the fruits.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This quote from an American poet captures the beauty of kindness and the lasting effect it leaves on those who receive it. It affirms that kindness is more than a feeling; it’s a way of life that grows and spreads, touching hearts in ways we may never fully see. A simple act of kindness can have a ripple effect, lifting spirits, inspir

Another year has started, another semester to shine and honor God with our lives as VPS Warriors. Being a Warrior is not just a title; it’s a call to live with faith, kindness, courage, and integrity. We must show with our actions and trust in God that we have been set apart to serve Jesus. Honoring our Warrior status can influence our school, friends, and family, and change the lives of those around us. Being a Warrior carries a great responsibility because we should show th

We welcomed a new year. January is a time that fills us with hope for what may come, and sometimes anxiety about the unknown. We reflected on all that has happened and considered how we can grow in this new year. The new year is a gift from God, a fresh start, a new chapter, and an opportunity to do better than before. When we see it as a blessing rather than something to take for granted, we begin to appreciate each day, each moment, and each opportunity God places before us

Over the years, excessive consumerism has made us lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Sadly, it has also shaped the way our children see the season; they often believe Christmas is all about receiving the best gifts, when in reality, it is about giving, sharing, and showing love. For many, Christmas has become a time to buy and buy; others are simply waiting for their gifts. Some spend the holidays seeking a temporary escape from life’s worries with a vacation, and f

This week, we ended our first Semester of school. It has been a great Semester, full of wonderful accomplishments and beautiful memories together as a family. We are ending the semester with gratefulness and excitement because God has been faithful to us. Today we start our Christmas Break, and for two weeks, our Warriors will have time to rest and enjoy their time with family. Knowing how anxious children and teens can get when they have too much free time, we have developed

The holiday celebrations bring many wonderful opportunities to share quality time with those we love. It is a time of joy that fills our homes with warmth and love. It is a beautiful time to honor Jesus and share his light with others, and a great time to teach our Warriors the blessing of giving. Yes, they get all excited about receiving gifts, and that is part of it, but we must take time to show them that the most beautiful part of Christmas is not receiving; it is giving.

December is here! One of the most loved months of the year, filled with joy, lights, and the excitement of Christmas. It’s a time when our hearts are drawn to celebration, music, and togetherness. But Christmas is not about spending lots of money on gifts or the busiest party; it’s about something far greater: welcoming Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever given. As we enter this season, it’s important to ask ourselves: are we truly preparing our hearts to receive Him? Are we

Being alive has become my deepest reason for gratitude. I have always thanked God for my life, my family, my daughters, my husband, but surviving multiple encounters of pulmonary embolisms (PEs), when many do not survive even one, has given my gratitude a new depth and meaning. I feel incredibly blessed to testify that God has been my caretaker, and through His mercy, I am alive today. Each morning, I wake with joy, thankful for another day to enjoy the blessings He provides,

Thanksgiving is a special time to reflect on the many blessings God has given us throughout the year. It’s a season for family, joy, and creating meaningful memories with loved ones. But let’s be honest, Thanksgiving can also feel overwhelming, especially with a house full of children and teens to include in your plans. To help make this holiday joyful and memorable for the whole family, here are tips to make the most of the Thanksgiving celebration: 1. Plan a dessert-making

Have you heard the phrase, “A little bit of kindness goes a long way”? Kindness is one of the character traits we nurture in our Warriors. But what is kindness? The dictionary defines it as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. The Bible describes kindness as an attribute of God, a quality we are called to reflect, even when it doesn’t come naturally. Ideally, kindness should guide our actions every day. As Warriors, we are called to model kindness and com

Parenting is one of the most rewarding yet challenging callings we can ever receive. It requires consistency, discipline, accountability, and a lot of love. When any of these ingredients are missing, everything falls out of balance, and that imbalance can lead to confusion, frustration, and broken trust between parents and children. Parenting is much like baking; every ingredient must be measured with care. Too much or too little of one thing, and the result doesn’t come out

Prayer is simply having a conversation with God. It is more than something we do in church or before meals. True prayer is based on a relationship, not just on routine or occasional dialogue. It should be something you yearn for, a casual, honest, and dedicated conversation with your Creator. Prayer is willing to listen and obey, not just asking or reciting words like a parrot. It is speaking to God with the same openness you have with a trusted friend. We often mistakenly be

Have you ever been told that you have something that makes you different, that you have a light that shines bright and is contagious to everyone? That you transmit joy, peace, something that makes you stand out. When we walk with God, this difference shows, and the people around us notice. As Christians, we are not called to blend in; we are called to stand out. If no one can see the difference Christ makes in our lives, we are missing the purpose God gave us. Too often, the

Autumn is a magical time for family fun, even when we don’t experience the blazing leaf colors that are typical of the North or colder weather. It's the season of harvest, pumpkin spice, beautiful and colorful leaves, delicious flavors, and lots of fun activities. The cooler breeze and seasonal events make fall a great time for outdoor adventures, festivals, and cozy traditions.  Fall is one of my favorite seasons because it brings lots of opportunities to enjoy together as a

We know the following Bible verse from Mark 12:31 by memory, and we have studied it more times than we can remember: “You shall love your...

Being in nature is like stepping into God’s workshop; it reveals His creativity, His power, and His love. Every season, every sunrise,...

Have you ever seen a shoe that captivated you through the glass of a shopfront, and when you go inside and try it on, it turns out to be...

The second greatest commandment teaches us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But do we really know what that means? Loving our...