Letters to my Children - Bucket List

I am doing another monthly thing with a bunch of wonderful ladies over at CM called Letter’s to our Children.  This month’s theme is what we want our kids to do or what do we think should be their bucket list for their life.  This has been a hard thing to think about but I have decided to take this and use this as more of a general what do I want my kids to be and do as they grow up.  Please enjoy this somewhat personal letter to my children.   After reading my letter please continue on to Susie, to read what she has for her children’s bucket list.  

Dear Little N, M & H –

You know sometimes it is hard to know if we are giving the best life for you.  We've lived over 2 year over in Taiwan and have had many great experiences and I think we are doing the right things for you but sometimes I’m just not sure.  However I've thought about it and I really don't think it matters where we are as long as we teach you to love the things and respect the things that we want you to respect.

A bucket list is a list of things that you want to accomplish before you die.  At least that’s what the urban dictionary told me.  Now I don't have things that I definitely think you have to do or go to before you die but I have some themes and things that I want you guys to cherish and I hope that you will follow. Right now you guys are only 5,3, & 1 years old.  The world is your oyster and you can do whatever you want.

My first biggest thing on my bucket list for you is that you would know and love the Lord as your personal Savior.  I think we are giving you a good start by providing you the groundwork – we are doing personal devotions at night and praying at night.  We are showing you that even though we might not understand everything that happens in the world God is still in control and He loves us.  My biggest bucket wish is that you would be a follower and seeker of Christ and that you would question and thirst for knowledge and the truth.

My second thing on my bucket list for you is that you would love and want to spend time together as a family.  Right now we are at the stage where you are stuck with us, but I want to get to a point where you want to share what’s going on in your life with us and that we would be some of your best friends.  I watch Little N and Little M as they've gotten older and enjoyed listening to them play with one another.  I'm so thankful that all of you like to play with each other usually.  Even though we are far away from mommy and daddy’s family I want you to realize that they are there for you and that family is important and a fun part of life.  I want you to cherish and love your siblings because I want you guys to look out for one another and help each other out through thick and thin.

My third thing on my bucket list is that you would have a lifetime hunger for knowledge and truth.  This can be for so many things but both Daddy and I have a love for books – reading is so much fun and I love seeing when you guys are reading books.  I also love when you are trying to figure out things about life.  I hope that you have a thirst for the truth and a desire to dig around to learn about everything.

My fourth thing on my bucket list is that you would have a love for nature – that you would love to explore and travel.  That you would think that just taking a bike ride around the area is something fun and exciting to do. That going hiking and seeing what nature has to offer would be fun and interesting.  That you would enjoy exploring and just enjoy the journey and not worry about the destination.

My fifth thing on my bucket list is that you would be kind and tenderhearted to others.  That you would be able to go into a situation and be able to be a kind and sweet person.  This takes a lot of skill but I hope that if someone trips or gets hurt I hope that you would stop what you are doing and help that person out.  I remember a time when your daddy realized that there was a guy who was hungry at a restaurant and was trying to dig through the scraps for food.  He had us go ahead and start our journey home and then he went and bought the man a meal.  At that moment I had such respect for your dad for being such a compassionate person and realized that it was something I wanted to pass on to you.  The environment you are in right now you get a lot of things given to you because you are different but I also want you to realize that not everything is about you.  Sometimes it’s okay to not get everything you want and it’s okay for you to give to others.  The other thing I want you to realize that beauty is something that can perceived through the kindness of your actions.  You can be extremely beautiful but if you are very mean and not nice you will not be any less beautiful but not many people will want to be your friend because of your attitude and actions.

Also you are beautiful and handsome no matter what people say.  People put so much on the color of your skin, how thin you are, how tall you are.  In every single culture there is a different standard of beauty.  In Taiwan people feel they look prettier with lighter skin whereas in America people enjoy having color on their skin.  Right now in the States beautiful is being thin.  But in other places in the world having curves, having scars they are all marks of honor because you have experienced life.  Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't beautiful.  Realize that eating the right foods, getting daily exercise and dressing appropriately are all important.  God made you the height you will be and he gave you  your eye color, your nose, your hair.  You can control some things like how long you want your hair to be, and how you dress.  Enjoy being yourself and remember to not let anyone put you down. 

My sixth thing is kind of a combination of things.  I hope that you guys have hobbies that you love and enjoy.  I also hope that you have friends and loved ones that you love and who will inspire you to be better people.  I hope that your friends will be people who will lift you up to be an even better you.  I hope that you have hobbies that you love and inspire you to get out and do what it is that you love to do. 

These are big broad goals that I want for your life but I’m positive that we will be able to handle everything.  I love you guys!

Love –

Mommy

NOW THAT YOU HAVE READ MY LETTER PLEASE HEAD OVER AND READ

Susie’s Letter THIS MONTH!