Faithbooking with Kids

Help Your Children Record their
Journey of Faith with

The Gift of Family Writing

Faithbooking

by Jill Novak

     Just think of all the experiences you and your children have shared together: everyday moments, special times, or life lessons tailor-made by God—irreplaceable stories that you thought you would never forget. Yet, life rushes by like a reel of film on a movie projector, thousands of unique experiences in a blur. Precious few will be remembered unless they are viewed in slow motion. Family writing slows the motion.
     Like the genealogies of the Bible, words beget words and stories beget stories. Before you know it, you’re recording the ordinary moments of your day, and something extraordinary happens—you and your children become writers! The gift of words and the means of expressing them flow from the heart of God to all of your children. When you teach them to capture their thoughts, feelings, and perceptions on paper, you enable them to remember; and in remembering your family members are bonded to each other and the Lord in a more profound way.
      Families are constantly changing. Children grow up and leave childish things behind. As time goes by, the memory of your home life with them fades. It doesn't have to be this way, though. Your family's life stories and unique spiritual heritage can be preserved through The Gift of Family Writing.

Our Story
      Every family has at least one member who can remember—as if it were yesterday—events that happened in the family when he or she was a child. My husband Robert (the only boy among three sisters) is the storyteller in his family. Most of his accounts are about the family farm and fishing trips in Canada. Our children were raised on these stories and value them as part of their heritage. When our family moved to a farm in 1999, new “farm stories” began to take shape. I recorded them in a journal, knowing we would forget these experiences if I didn't write them down. My husband’s love of storytelling had rubbed off on me.
      Gradually I was drawn to read books about recording your life stories and writing from the heart. Geared toward adults, these books focused on writing memoirs or life stories for your children and grandchildren. As I read, a thought arose in my mind: Why aren't we recording our children's life stories as they happen? We're with them all the time. What wouldn't any of us give to read—in our own words—the accounts of people, places, or things that mattered to us when we were young? How much easier it would be for our children to write their life stories now, while they're still fresh on their minds!
      I began to really listen to my children. I was amazed to hear how many words they used to describe their experiences, and surprised at how naturally they expressed themselves. The younger ones only needed me to write their stories down. A bond formed that wasn’t there before; I was hearing the hearts of my children through the words of their experience.

Recording Your Life Stories
You may not have thought about recording your life stories together as a family. I know I hadn’t. I’m amazed that it never occurred to me to have my two oldest children narrate their daily experiences to me when they were younger. I didn’t realize that we could write about all the wonderful things we’ve done together as a family or that I could preserve my spiritual walk so my children and grandchildren would know the awesome God we serve. One thing I’ve learned, though, it’s never too late to journal your life stories. As long as you live and breathe there will be plenty of experiences to preserve on paper.

The Gift of Family Writing will Show You How To:

Enable your children record their journey of faith through life's everyday teachable moments
Strengthen family relationships through the written word
Communicate vision and a hope in Christ to all of your children
Preserve your spiritual legacy for future generations

If you love Faithbooking,
you'll love The Gift of Family Writing...
and so will your children!

All my children have a lot of words. They talk constantly.
I just have never really known how to turn that into writing, yet after reading your book, it all seemed so simple."

~Melissa Parsons

"I haven’t seen anything like The Gift of Family Writing!"

~Kris Price
ClasicalEducation4Us

For Children

Did you know you can teach your children how to write and preserve their life stories at the same time? The Gift of Family Writing transcends age barriers – it works beautifully for little children who can’t read, but have a lot to say, and it works for older children who hate to write or those who are gifted storytellers, but can’t get their thoughts on the page due to developing spelling or handwriting skills. It transcends learning styles, and establishes a strong foundation for writing from what you know, utilizing many techniques that “real” writers use.

For Parents

The Gift of Family Writing isn’t just for children. It’s for parents too! You’ll be inspired to put your pen to paper as you read about the different ways you can write to and with your children. Family journaling, memoir, personal essay, letter writing, and spiritual testimonies, and tributes are just a few of the genres that you will explore in The Gift of Family Writing. You’ll be motivated to make writing a priority when you see how the written word can strengthen family relationships and preserve a spiritual legacy for generations to come.

A Learning Lifestyle for the Whole Family

The Gift of Family Writing isn’t an activity, it’s a lifestyle. It’s a way of seeing and thinking, a way of appreciating the little things in life, a way of savoring everyday moments and valuing the individuality of family members. Written by Jill Novak and published by Remembrance Press, The Gift of Family Writing will show you how to connect your family’s hearts on paper and nurture family relationships.

Testimonials

When my grandmother died, all I wanted were words – her words – on backs of envelopes, scraps of paper, and Bible margins – her heart on paper. Your words here...your encouragements here....blessed me deeply. The Gift of Family Writing is beautiful. I think you have written a truly HELPFUL resource that will bless all families! What a gem! So visually appealing, inspiring and practical!

Ann Voskamp
Author of the award winning blog Holy Experience
mother of six

June 3, 2006
Dear Jill,
You sent me a link to your e-book and I have already read most of it. It is fantastic! I bought each of my four children a composition book the weekend I read it and we've been writing ever since. I am blessed with some really reluctant writers and I believe this gentle approach may be an answer to prayer. I personally love to write and I hope that each of my boys will also pick up on that in a non-threatening way. My oldest, 9, practically runs when he sees a pen. So my goal for my boys this year is to help develop a love for written expression. Your book has been an inspiration and a comfort.

Warmly,
Rebecca Ponce

I recently purchased this e-book from Jill and it is absolutely WONDERFUL! I can't recommend it highly enough! Deep in my heart I was wanting a way to preserve memories...memories with my children, with my husband, family traditions, etc...but never had a clear idea of how to do it. Well....this is IT! I just bought composition books for each person in my family and can't wait to get started!

~ Sheri Graham

The point about how we tie our children's shoes and brush their teeth for them until they can handle those tasks on their own was a real eye-opener. That really encouraged me to begin writing down my children's stories until they can do it for themselves. And oh, your comment about the child's perspective ― having 200 words to say and only being able to write 10-20 ― very powerful!

Mary Jo T.
Writing Tips
mother of four

Thank you so much for sending me the e-book yesterday! I was thrilled to be able to read it―and already have read at least one third of it! My daughters are 2, 6, 9, 11, and 13. I am constantly trying to find ways to "capture the moment" with my daughters. I think I am going to get all my girls started today (and me too)! This is exactly what I was looking for!

Susan Nelson.
mother of 4

Thanks Jill, you always bless and inspire me. I have started to write things down as I can, and I want to go back and ask my relatives to tell me what they know. From the little I know, I will be able to clearly trace the hand of the Lord in our lives and I am excited about that. I want my children to know their heritage too and one day my grandchildren ― a witness to the future generations of the love and faithfulness of the Lord.

In Him,
Colleen L.
mother of two