Hello All,
I have been enjoying the encouragement of the newsletter as well as the stories I've been reading. Thank you.

My oldest son is turning 13 this year and my wife and I have a master plan for him this year. It includes books for him to read, bible studies to do and other practical things for him to accomplish. It will all end with a ceremony on his 13th birthday. We are very excited! Part of the ceremony will include a gift from his mom and dad to commemorate the occasion. Here is where I am looking for some advice. Does anyone have any suggestions? My first choice was a family crest or shield, but that really isn't us. Of course I want it to be special and representative of the occasion, but it should fit who we are as a family.

Anyway, if you have any suggestions on what is an appropriate gift, I would love to hear it.

Thanks.

-Vinny

WE have a covenant ceremony on our child's 13th birthday with giving a "purity" birthstone ring.... and someone special to pray over them after WE (parents and child) observe the "Proclamation of Covenant With __________ (name of child)"
MOM: Prior to your birth God indeed had laid a great plan for your life, just as He had for the prophet Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you." Your very name is indeed special for __________ ________ (names of child) means, " _________________________________________________" "A good name is to be more desired than great riches."

Your father and I have watched you mature spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I remember well that day you came to know Christ as Lord and Savior, _____________(date) at age ____, in __________(location) as ______________________________(describe what happened). Your name is written in the Book of Life.
(IF FOR A DAUGHTER) You will be a witness to the world that you belong to Christ as you "adorn yourself with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, by means of good works, as befits women making a claim of godliness."
(IF A SON) You will be a witness to the world that you belong to Christ as you remember than from childhood you have known the sacred writing which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus... that you, man of God, may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Just as Daniel, from the days of King Darius, may you always trust the Lord for your every protection, being obedient to worship Him alone, with others making note that, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you."

DAD: (IF FOR A DAUGHTER) WE have many hopes and dreams for your life, ________ (name of daughter). Primarily, that in "all you do, it would be all to the glory of God." In doing that you will become a virtuous woman as described in Proverbs 31, "Her worth is far above jewels; she does her husband good and not evil all the days of her life; she girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong; she senses that her gain is good; she is always prepared; strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future; she opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue; she looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."
(IF FOR A SON): We have many hopes and dreams for your life, ___________(name of son). Primarily, that in "all you do, it would be all to the glory of God." In doing that you will become a man of God, acknowledging that just as Paul wrote to Timothy, "This command I entrust to you, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, ... you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. Flee from the foolish and harmful desires, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness... take hold of the eternal life to which you were called... I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, ... that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

________(Teen): I will honor the Lord in all of my ways, as best as I can, showing the Fruit of the Spirit which are: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering patience, gentleness and goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance." By being obedient to my parents, which is the first commandment with a promise, I will prove my obedience to God, for "obedience is better than sacrifice to Him. As I daily strive to put on the "whole armor" of God I will be better equipped to live for Him, "being able to resist in the evil day, having done everything to stand firm." His truth shall gird me, His righteousness shall cover me, His gospel of peace shall prepare me to share His love, His faith shall extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one, His helmet of salvation and the sword, the scriptures, shall enable me to stand firm. Pray for me as I come into adulthood.

MOM & DAD: We will continue to pray for you as we have done for many years. "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." May God be gracious unto you all the days of your life.

**PRAYER** by __________ ___________ (by the special person chosen by the teen)

________________________________
signed and witness at (location)