The Maxwell Family held a conference at Lighthouse Gospel Church in Port Burwell along Lake Erie during the weekend. It is a 3-hour drive for us and we were managed to stay at a B&B in town. Believe it or not, this is my first time driving a trip that long. Before that was 2-hour drive to Marineland.
Port Burwell has a windfarm and a beautiful beach. Although it is cool in the fall, we still headed out to the beach and let the kids play sand.
About 400-500 people showed up at the conference. Friday night was concert by the Maxwell family. They have 8 children aging from 12-31 (only 7 were there because the eldest is married). They all play at least 2 different kind of instruments. Wow. Steve talked about vision for the family after the concert.
Saturday was full of individual session for dads, mums and teenagers. What a blessing. I learned that everything the happens in the house is the father’s responsibility. I have to admit that I focus on my kids’ physicall need more than their spiritual need. I pray to God that He will teach me and guide me to be a better leader for my home. I especially like one of the session “Keeping our children’s heart”. Tiffany is almost 8 now and I feel that if I don’t do something, I will lose her heart to the world. So I am going to read this book and work on this. It is the same idea as Michael Perl’s Jumping Ship articles.
In the conference, we met some new families and saw some families with 8 or 10 children. All of a sudden having 5 kids do not seem that many. My father-in-law and my mother always speak against us having more kids. But we believe that we should let God to decide this, if we call him Lord. If God gives us a child, we believe He will also give us the energy and resource to train and feed him/her. The Maxwell family cleary demonstrates that the whole family can be part of a ministry altogether. They show that a large familly can be debt free, run a home-based business, helping other families that struggle while spreading the Gospel at the same time.
I have been troubled by working in the corporate world for some time. Everyday I cannot have breakfast and lunch with my kids. I drive to work, stare the computer for 4 hours, take a lunch break and then another 4 hours before going home. I thank God for giving me this job to support my family, however, I think having a home-based business where parent and child working together is the best model. How else can I better understand their physical and spiritual need without spending time with them?
Since the kids are older and more capable in helping around the house, I think it is now a time to sit down and seriously consider quitting my job and start a family business. The only thing that draws mean back is the money. I have passion for farming/gardening/building things. I learn woodworking,wiring and plumbing by myself and from friends. I enjoy working with my hands. But my job does pay a decent salary with benefit. Unless I am fired, I don’t know if I have the courage to let go all of that and dive into a new world.
I will continue to pray about this because I don’t want to make hasty decision. I thank God that my wife supports me in all these areas. I am sure when our parents learn what I am going to do, they will jump and say I am crazy and being illogical.