Welcome Laurie! Interesting concept...

Thank you ALL for your warm welcomes!

Dotsie - to answer your question - both of my kids are still home. My son went to college for three years, then decided he really wanted to work from home (I wonder where he got that idea???) He's learning all about Internet Marketing, and I have to admit, he's learned more in the past six months than he ever did in college. Don't tell your kids I said that! But he has found something that he's really interested in, and that has made all the difference in his wanting to learn.

My daughter has had some difficult issues to work through, so she has not been able to stay in college yet. But we are praying hard for healing for her. They are both at a young people's retreat this weekend, and my husband and I are praying for great things.

I really look forward to getting to know you all. It seems like a really honest, real forum.

Hi Laurie!
I'm originally from Long Island. Nice to meet you!

Laurie, thanks for sharing about your kids. One of my constant prayers is for youth and young adults. It's so hard to grow up these days. I'm happy to hear your kids are at a retreat. Mine are not very intersted in church right now, though I cover them in prayer daily concerning this. I was so grateful to have the two who were home for Easter next to us in church. It was just like old times.

Our youngest almost went to Hofstra. Are you near that college? He had a change of heart at the last minute and landed in a Forida college instead. Though Orlando is far from home, I'd rather fly there than drive to Long Island from Baltimore. That's one tough ride. Do you ever get to Baltimore?

Welcome Laurie! Sounds like you have an interesting business. We have alot of ladies here working from home...including me.

Dotsie, that surprised me that your children aren't churchgoers like you. I was wondering how you come to terms with it? Do you try to influence them?

Although I have my own problems with the church, I still see it as a vital structure and help to raise a family. Our son has totally turned his back to our church, and hasn't even had our grandchild baptised. I was surprised about myself how it saddens me. His wife is a Baptist though, and lives by the bible. When I think no baptism, no first communion or confirmation; so much of our own tradition is lost.

Dotsie,

I know it's hard when your kids walk away from God or the church. But I did myself. I was brought up in the Catholic church, and stopped going when I was 18 for about the next six years. Eventually, I left the Catholic Church, but went to another non-denominational church.

I pray for my kids daily also. I know they both have a relationship with God, for which I'm very grateful. But there's some other "stuff" that needs to get worked out.

I was in Baltimore on a vacation once. We stopped there to see a baseball game. Nice city, but very busy!