GOOD DAYS GIVE YOU HAPPINESS
BAD DAYS GIVE YOU EXPERIENCE
WORST DAYS GIVE YOU LESSONS
AND THE BEST DAYS GIVE YOU MEMORIES.
Growing Up in the Church
I wouldn’t necessarily describe my parents as extremely religious, but when I look back, church was a big part of my childhood. We were raised attending a Methodist Church, and it played a significant role in our family life.
Sunday mornings meant church service. As a teenager, I would occasionally pretend to sleep in, hoping to skip church—but it never worked. No matter what, we were there almost every Sunday.
When we were younger, my parents were youth group leaders, which meant we were actively involved in the church community. One of my favorite memories was our annual youth group trip to Cedar Point—that was definitely the highlight for me!
I was baptized as a baby and later went through confirmation classes. As part of the confirmation process, we participated in overnight retreats with our minister, which made for some memorable experiences.
Every year, we attended church camp with other families. It was a weekend packed with church activities, campfire songs, and fellowship—a true church-filled getaway.
One memory that always stands out is my dad singing hymns loudly and proudly every Sunday. We had our own designated row in church, sitting in the same spot week after week.
Sunday mornings weren’t just about the service—afterward, we would head to the fellowship hall for donuts, which made waking up for church a little easier!
At home, we also prayed before every dinner, making it a daily part of our family routine.
Beyond attending services, my parents were involved in church activities, including bowling in the church league. My dad even took part in the annual Christmas play, always landing the role of the grumpy innkeeper!
Keeping the Tradition Alive
These are just some of my childhood memories of growing up in the church. Now that we have our own family, we’ve tried to continue many of these traditions with our boys. Times have certainly changed, but we still prioritize faith in our home.
All three of our younger boys attended Open Door Christian School, where they had the opportunity to study the Bible, learn about faith, and be introduced to Christianity in their school environment.
We make it to church on Sundays whenever we can. Jenette even volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, which was a wonderful experience. We’ve attended various church events, from cookouts and ice cream socials to trunk-or-treats.
For several summers, the boys participated in Vacation Bible School, which they really enjoyed. We also make it a point to sit down for family dinners, where the boys take time to say a prayer before meals. Some of my favorite memories are watching old videos of them praying at the dinner table, singing, and dancing along to Bible school songs.
A Lasting Impact
One thing that has stuck with me is how much memorization played a role in my early religious education. As a kid in confirmation class, we were required to memorize every book of the Bible. I just tried to recite them again—not quite perfect, but I still remember quite a few!
With that in mind, I wanted to share some of my favorite Bible verses, ones that have stayed with me over the years.
Isaiah 41:10
There will always be trials and tribulations in life, but God will carry you through every storm in your life.
And give you strength to make it, even when you feel like you can’t.
Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. There will always be trials and tribulations in
life, but God will carry you through every storm in your life. And give you strength to make it.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Do not fear the road ahead, for God walks with you. His hand will guide you, and His grace will sustain
you through every trial.
Matthew 6:34
So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Mark 10:27
With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be
born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a
time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a
time to dance.