Focus on the Family Magazine - October/November 2023

30 Days
OF GIVING
THANKS
Helping Families Thrive in Christ
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023
WHAT GEN Z
BELIEVES
ABOUT GOD
Daring
to Rest
page 36

An increasing number of
teens and young adults are
walking away
from their faith
In a culture filled with loud and persuasive voices, families need
access to biblically based resources to navigate confusion and
doubt, and tools to deepen their faith.
Will you help?
For 40 years, <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Canada has remained committed to the core
truths found in Scripture. Now more than ever, families need to be equipped
with these foundational truths to help them stand firm in their faith.
When you give, you will help the next generation stand firm in their faith
and be a voice for God’s truth in today’s culture.
Donate today!
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/WalkingAway | 1.800.661.9800

OCT / NOV 2023
table of contents
12
in every issue
4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
5 MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT
6 OFF THE SHELF
8 HACKS & FACTS
24 ADULT KIDS
39 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE
44 EXTENDED FAMILY
46 MY THRIVING FAMILY
kids & teens
12 WHEN TO HAVE ‘THE TALK’
Do you have a strategy for
telling your kids about sex?
by Rebecca Kittle
15 A HEART OF GRATITUDE
The foundation to a joyful life
by Rebecca Celestine
18 WHAT GEN ZERS
BELIEVE ABOUT GOD
Insights for parenting
a new generation
by Jason Jimenez
20 A PRAYER FOR MY KIDS
To withstand pressure
throughout the school year
by Tony Wood
44
26
DOWNLOAD
A COLORABLE
THANKSGIVING
PLACE MAT
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/
Magazine
21 4 PRACTICAL
PARENTING TIPS . . .
To stay engaged with your kids
during their teen years
by Evie Palmer
23 CHATGPT AND YOUR KIDS
by Adam Holz
39
couples
26 DIFFERENT BUT UNDIVIDED
Appreciating your spouse’s quirks
makes your marriage stronger
by Kari Trent Stageberg
30 NOTICING THE LITTLE THINGS
Show your gratitude by jotting
down what you appreciate about
your spouse
by Gary Thomas
faith &
inspiration
36 DARING TO REST
Experiencing God’s transformative
Sabbath at Kerith Retreats
by Sam Doerksen
40 ARE YOU KINGDOM FOCUSED?
by Dr. Tony Evans
42 MOVIE MESSAGES: GUILLERMO
DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO
Seek and find worldviews
while having fun as a family
by Plugged In
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 3

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Jean-Paul Beran is
president of <strong>Focus</strong> on
the Family Canada.
“Oh give thanks to the
LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love
endures forever!”
(Psalm 107:1)
40 years of
thankfulness
THIS YEAR, <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Canada
is celebrating 40 years of helping families in
Canada thrive! And I personally am so thankful
to be here for this milestone anniversary.
For the last two years in my role as president
of <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Canada, I have
been hearing stories from families like yours
who have been encouraged and supported
by the work we do. Whether it was a Hope
Restored marriage intensive that pulled a couple
from the brink of divorce, an eye-opening
conversation with one of our counsellors that
turned their life around, or an episode of the
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Broadcast they heard at
just the right time —families are being transformed by God through the
ministry of <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Canada.
Four decades of families being transformed, marriages being restored,
parents being empowered, and Christ-followers being renewed in their
faith—that’s a lot to be thankful for!
“We are so thankful for <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Canada supporting families
in numerous ways. We have truly been blessed through your radio interviews,
your amazing family magazine, teen magazine, counselling support
and books. Thank you for serving the Lord through helping families across
Canada over the past 40 years.”
While we celebrate the last 40 years, we also look ahead to the future.
Now more than ever, families are in desperate need of expert guidance
grounded in God’s Word. We need to know who God is and who He
designed us to be in order to stand firm against the cultural pressures we
face today.
As you read through the pages of this issue, I pray you are encouraged
in your own journey, and I also ask that you share this great resource—
and the many other resources of <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Canada—with those
around you. We are honoured to be part of your family, but we also know
there are many other families who could use our help. It is our vision
to see every family in Canada transformed by love, vibrant in faith and
enduring in hope.
And remember, we’re just a click, email and phone call away. I invite
you to visit our website at <strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca, email us at info@fotf.ca
or call our team at 1.800.661.9800. We’re happy to help!
Blessings,
Jean-Paul Beran
CLINT BARGEN PHOTOGRAPHY
president
Jim Daly
focus canada
president
Jean-Paul Beran
chief operating
officer
Ken Windebank
chief marketing
& content officer
Tim Sawer
publisher
Jennifer Arthur
media publishing
director
Kevin Shirin
contributing
editors
Vance Fry
Marianne Hering
Meredith Hinds
Jennifer Lonas
Jeff Masching
editorial director
Sheila Seifert
Thank you!
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family provides this magazine
and other resources through the generosity of
friends like you. <strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/Donate.
For a subscription, go to <strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.
ca/Magazine.
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family magazine October/November
2023, Vol. 8, No. 5 ISSN 2471-5921, © 2023 <strong>Focus</strong> on
the Family. All rights reserved. Published by <strong>Focus</strong>
on the Family, a nonprofit organization recognized
for tax-deductible giving by the federal government.
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family is a federally registered trademark
of <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family.
To notify us of an address change or to contact
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Canada: 1-800-661-9800; 19946
80A Ave, Langley, BC, V2Y 0J8; info@fotf.ca
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are
from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV ® ).
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry
of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All
rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in
any publication made available to the public by a
Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be
translated in whole or in part into any other
language. ESV Text Edition: 2016.
IMPORTANT NOTICE! By submitting letters and
other materials, you agree 1) they become the
property of <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family and will not be
returned; 2) <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family, its assigns and
licensees, have been granted the nonexclusive right
to use and/or reproduce the materials in any manner
for any purpose. Our agreement is made in Colorado
and controlled by Colorado law.
Send author submissions to
<strong>Focus</strong>MagSubmissions@family.org.
REPRINT PERMISSION:
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.com/Permissions
Website references do not constitute blanket
endorsement or complete agreement by <strong>Focus</strong>
on the Family with information or resources
offered at or through those sites.
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family, 19946 80A Avenue, Langley,
BC V2Y 0J8; 800-661-9800; info@fotf.ca;
GST# 10684 5969 RT0001
Printed in Canada.
managing editor
Andrea Gutierrez
copy chief
Scott DeNicola
associate editors
Sarah Brickens
Faith Wismer
senior art director
Cary Bates
art director
Sally Dunn
designer
Julie Vieux
editorial assistant
Kat Bittner
print production
Gail Wise
circulation
Erika Lynch
focus canada
contributors
Laurisha Blackstock
Sam Doerksen
Amy Van Veen
4
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

HELPING YOUR FAMILY THRIVE
MINISTRY
spotlight
Highlighting one of the many ministries
of <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Canada
FOR 40 YEARS, <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family
Canada has remained committed to the core
truths found in Scripture of who God is and who
He designed us to be. While cultural pressures
may look different today than when we first
started in 1983, God’s Word is unchanging.
That’s why everything we do is carefully evaluated
to ensure the products and resources we
offer are grounded in the truth of Scripture.
With an increasing number of teens and
young adults turning their backs on God, these
resources are needed now more than ever.
Learn more about how you can help.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/WalkingAway
<strong>Focus</strong> on
Faith and Culture
Free <strong>Focus</strong> on Faith and Culture e-newsletter
One of the many ways we help believers young and old is through
our free <strong>Focus</strong> on Faith and Culture biweekly e-newsletter.
We live in a time of information. As we scroll through our
social media feeds, we are inundated with concepts, ideas and
arguments that can sound really convincing. How can we make
sense of everything we’re seeing? How can we better understand
God’s voice so we can practice discernment in our society?
In this e-newsletter, you will find articles to help you navigate
faith and culture, covering topics such as:
“Models of manhood and womanhood: Jesus versus cultural
stereotypes”
“Separating science from scientism, and why it matters”
“Deconstruction: A look at a popular and polarizing concept”
“Art and the Christian: Common pitfalls in a complex
relationship”
“Political homelessness: Charting a path to a better country”
These articles will equip you to filter cultural ideas through
the timeless truth of Scripture.
And as we move ahead into the next 40 years of ministry,
one of our goals is to build stronger partnerships with churches,
Christian schools and Christian universities. We want to make
our many faith-building resources available to even more families,
children and young adults.
The next generation needs help as they work through their difficult
questions about Christianity and deepen their faith in God.
Sign up for our free biweekly
<strong>Focus</strong> on Faith and Culture e-newsletter.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/Subscribe
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 5

OFF THE SHELF
Christian reads for adults
BY SHEILA SEIFERT
I ENJOY GETTING LOST IN
A STORY, even when I only have
time to read during the in-between
moments—waiting for a doctor or
as a passenger in the car. How about
you? To give you an inside glimpse
into the why behind a few good
novels, I’ve interviewed three authors
about their new releases.
“Writing is a form of worship for me, a
way to give back to Christ a portion of
all He’s given me. Jesus used the power
of story to convey unshakable eternal
truths to His listeners, and I strive to
follow in His steps, in all I write, even
A Million Little Choices.”
—Tamera Alexander
“Grayson Hayes, in Saving Grayson,
likes control and has trouble receiving
God’s forgiveness, so he tries to earn it.
When he’s diagnosed with early-onset
Alzheimer’s, he believes caring for his
wife means relieving her pain by ending
his life. But, as a writer, he is chasing
one last story. Through this novel, I’ve
worked to show the worth of each person
and the power of love to transform.”
Find these
titles and more at
Shop.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca
—Chris Fabry
The Chosen: And I Will Give You Rest
by Jerry B. Jenkins
“As I researched What a Wave Must Be,
I read several nonfiction books, but I
thought only counselors and folks who
were grieving would read them. A good
novel, on the other hand, can prepare
us emotionally and intellectually for
what lies ahead—and all of us grieve.
We all experience loss. That’s the
reason I wrote this novel.”
—Angela Hunt
books for you
to read this
autumn
A Million Little Choices
by Tamera Alexander
Saving Grayson
by Chris Fabry
Voice of the Ancient
by Connilyn Cossette
The Watchmaker’s Daughter
by Larry Loftis
What a Wave Must Be
by Angela Hunt
AMBER DAY - ILLUSTRATIONX
6
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

kids &
teens
NETRUN78-ADOBE STOCK
“GRATITUDE IS THE
FOUNDATION OF A
JOYFUL AND CONTENTED
LIFE. LET’S TEACH OUR
CHILDREN TO GIVE IT
FROM THE HEART.”
—REBECCA CELESTINE, PAGE 15
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
7

KIDS & TEENS / HACKS & FACTS
Thankfulness
BLESSING
BAGS
We have a cupboard
where we stash little
items we purchase
on sale including
toys, notebooks, cute
mugs or jewelry. Then,
whenever we hear of
someone who’s having
a hard time, we
select items from
the cupboard to create
a little gift bag. My
kids often color a picture
to include as
well. It’s fun to see
if we can personalize
the gifts for the
person who needs
encouragement.
We drive to the
recipient’s home and
drop off the gift, usually
without ringing
the doorbell. It’s an
opportunity for my
kids to see neighborly
love in action
and realize we can
do little things today
that allow us to bless
someone tomorrow.
And it’s an active way
to show others that
we appreciate them.
—Elizabeth James
thankful
Thursdays
The car ride to school
has become a prime
time for me to talk with
my kids about spiritual
matters. One of
my favorites is to break
down Scripture into
individual lessons, such
as 1 Thessalonians
5:16-18, which says
“Rejoice always, pray
without ceasing, give
thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the
will of God in Christ
Jesus for you.” For
instance, on “Thankful
Thursdays,” each of us
tries to name something
we are thankful
for and why. This regular
exercise with
Scripture helps my children
search their days
for meaning and live
each day with a view
of God in it.
—Kris Sayler
the art of giving
My kids love to draw, paint and sculpt for others.
On Sunday mornings, they eagerly race out
the door carrying handcrafted cards or other
artwork to share with members of our church.
Many times, they give their art to people who,
we later learn, needed it the most: a woman
who’d just lost her mother, a widow attending
church alone for the first time, volunteers who
devote hours to serving the church with
little thanks and grandparents who rarely see
their own grandchildren. Giving these gifts is
one way our kids show others in our church
that they’re grateful for them.
—Jessica Jenson
SALLY DUNN-FOTF, AMBER DAY-ILLUSTRATIONX
8
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

HACKS & FACTS / KIDS & TEENS
Forgiveness
BYE, BYE
BUBBLES
I emphasize to my kids that
when God forgives us, He no
longer holds that sin against us.
Scripture says, “As far as the east
is from the west, so far does he
remove our transgressions from
us” (Psalm 103:12). In the same
way, after we forgive someone,
we cannot keep telling them
what they did wrong, such as
when a child rehashes a sibling’s
transgression to a parent.
To demonstrate how our sins
are gone, we blow bubbles (sin)
and pop them (God forgiving
and forgetting).
—Christina Nunes
ZINKEVYCH-ADOBE STOCK, AMBER DAY-ILLUSTRATIONX
melted away
In explaining the concept of
forgiveness, I filled a bucket
with some hot water and had
both of my toddlers grab a
handful of snow. (Ice cubes
work, too.) I told them that the
snow is like their sins, and the
hot water is God’s love. I had
them put the snow in the hot
water and watch it dissolve.
I told them this is what happens
when God forgives us
with His great love—the sin
is gone forever!
—Amber Bulk
“It’s important to teach children when . . .
they do something wrong, that they
need to ask God to forgive them.”
source: Parents’ Guide to the Spiritual Growth of Children
baby steps of forgiveness
I explained God’s love and forgiveness to my 9- and 6-year-old children by
framing it in terms of their love and forgiveness for their 2-year-old brother.
When they feel down or guilty about something they have done, they find it
hard to believe God loves and forgives them. I ask, “Would you expect your
baby brother to always do things perfectly?” They shake their heads. I continue,
“And when he makes a mistake that hurts you, is it still possible to be frustrated
or disappointed for a little, but still love and forgive him?”
After they answer these questions, it becomes easier to understand that
God’s love for them is even stronger and more constant for them.
—Nicole Terry
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 9

KIDS & TEENS / HACKS & FACTS
Dining Out
TABLES, TRIANGLES
AND A LITTLE TAPE
At restaurants, I used masking tape to attach the
children’s paper menu to the table so my daughter
could color it, and I didn’t have to pick it up off
the floor. I also brought triangular-shaped crayons.
They’re thicker than regular crayons, so little
hands can grip them easier, and they don’t roll off
the table.
—Lisa Johnson
tape the town
I rarely go anywhere without blue painter’s tape. My
boys have made roads for their toy cars, “repaired”
paper restaurant place mats or “fixed” the back of the
restaurant seat. We’ve practiced writing blue-tape letters
and numbers, and we’ve made tic-tac-toe games
on the restaurant table. Of course, painter’s tape is also
easy to clean up, so it makes for perfect restaurant
entertainment.
ice entertainment
—Amy Knowles
At family-friendly restaurants, I order a cup of ice when
we arrive. If food is delayed, we play table hockey or
blow air through straws to make the cubes race across
the table. And I always wipe down the table and seats
from the melted ice before we leave.
—Tania Alward
practice makes patience
Before I take my toddler out to eat, we sit down at a
play table with plastic plates and cups, and talk about
how big kids act when they eat out. (I even have an
older sibling take our order.) This helps my toddler
understand how to wait patiently.
—Evie Palmer
show me your worst
When my boys were young, I’d ask them to show me their
worst table manners, and they loved it. They ate with their
mouths open, fell off chairs, spilled, ran around the room
and said, “Give me this or that!” Then I’d ask them to show
me their best table manners. They’d sit up, chew carefully,
use utensils, speak politely and practice my suggestions.
When we dined out, I’d say, “Show me your best table
manners,” and tell them that if they did, I’d reward them
with a worst-table-manners meal at home. The game
helped them know what was required.
—Kelly Bakshi
SALLY DUNN-FOTF, AMBER DAY-ILUSTRATIONX, LALALULULALA-ADOBE STOCK
10
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

HACKS & FACTS / KIDS & TEENS
Pets
Approximately
66 %
of all households
own a pet.
source: 2023-2024 American Pet
Products Association, National
Pet Owners Survey
KATE_SEPT2004-ISTOCK PHOTO
PUTTING
FIDO FIRST
When my wife and I agreed to get a family
dog, we rolled out the typical rules for our kids.
They would take turns feeding, walking, watering
and washing the dog. And they had to put
the dog first. That meant they had to feed the
dog before they sat down for breakfast. Before
they grabbed an after-school snack, they had
to take the dog for a walk. Before they reached
for dessert, they had to make sure the dog had
water. It was a simple way to teach our kids
about caring for animals and putting another’s
needs before their own.
—Jared Hottenstein
Boots, the confidence booster
My husband and I adopted Boots, a sweet Boston terrier, to
help our 8-year-old son, David, learn responsibility. We then
invested in some puppy-training classes so our son could learn
how to work with his new pal. Both mastered their roles in short
order. So we searched for opportunities to give my son even
more responsibility.
David began demonstrating his pet-handling skills at various
carnivals, festivals and other events at school, church, libraries
and the mall. He began to anticipate “showing off” his furry
friend, which built his self-confidence, and helped him become
more comfortable developing friendships.
Through a small investment in puppy training classes,
and a bit of time locating and participating in events, my husband
and I were able to help our son grow in responsibility and
self-confidence.
—Nancy Koenig
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 11

KIDS & TEENS / COMMUNICATION
CREDIT TK
12
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

Healthy Sexuality Education — Basic Goals and Guidance from <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family
by Geremy F. Keeton, M.MFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Counseling Department - Edited by the Parenting and Youth Department
Illustrations by Marcin Piwowarski
COMMUNICATION / KIDS & TEENS
WHEN TO HAVE
‘THE TALK’
Do you have a strategy for
telling your kids about sex?
BY REBECCA KITTLE
CREDIT JELENA TK
MARKOVIC-STOCKSY
“I ASSUME YOU’VE HEARD the word sex
before?” I asked my 11-year-old daughter as she finished
her homework. A sheepish look crossed her face.
She said she had.
My husband and I had recently shifted her from fulltime
home schooling to a hybrid school. Although we
could monitor the images and dialogue she was exposed
to, we couldn’t control what she might hear at school.
“Where have you heard it?” I asked.
Again, she seemed reluctant. “Oh, just places.”
“Well,” I pressed, “let’s talk about what you’ve heard.”
THE TALK
by Geremy Keeton
Download tips for talking to your kids
about sex, broken down by age and
stage from preschoolers to teens.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/TheTalk
Establish your voice
Talking with our kids about sex can be uncomfortable. And
while we may want to simply avoid this topic, the reality is
that our kids are going to learn about it. As parents we have
the responsibility to make sure they hear the truth amid the
information that will come at them from various sources—
many of which aren’t God-honoring.
Pam Farrel, co-author of 10 Questions Kids Ask About Sex,
suggests that our timing should often depend on what our
kids are hearing outside our family so we can establish our
influence and authority as the person they’ll go to when they
have questions. “As much as possible,” she says, “we need to
be proactive so our kids hear about moral values and what is
correct and biblical from us first.”
But how do we start the conversation? How specific do we
get? And what age is best for this type of chat?
Don’t think in terms of one discussion, but ongoing, ageappropriate
conversations that lead up to “the talk” and
then continue with post-talk discussions. As you lay a
foundation, Geremy Keeton, the director of <strong>Focus</strong> on the
Family’s Counseling department in the U.S., and author of
The Talk, a bulleted list of age-and-stage goals for parents
on this topic, recommends that you don’t delay too long.
Geremy states, “Our sexualized culture, sadly, demands that we
talk sooner rather than later—yet, still in an age-appropriate way.
The main focus is to track with your child.” Allow your children’s
physical and emotional development to help guide you as to
when to go deeper into the subject. But as a general overview,
here are some guidelines: >
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 13

KIDS & TEENS / COMMUNICATION
Ages 4 to 5
Before kids start school, Pam says, “[They] need to know
enough about how babies are made and how our bodies
work so they understand the important transitions around
them such as weddings, pregnancies and babies being born.”
This is a great time to start out with the idea that babies
need both a mommy and a daddy and that God creates life
in a special way.
My husband and I chose the idea of planting seeds. We
explained to our young daughters that just as the vegetable
plants in our backyard garden start as a seed, so did they.
Though stressing that they were different from fruits and
vegetables, we explained that a daddy can plant a seed in
a mommy. We kept it simple, knowing it was a concept we
could continue to build on as they matured. Young children
also should have a basic understanding of body parts, why
modesty is important and how to protect themselves from
predators.
Ages 6 to 9
Toward the upper end of this age range is also the time to
begin discussing puberty. By the time my daughter reached
8, I began chatting with her about periods, puberty and
body changes. Pam says, “Your child will need to be prepared
before the changes start in their own bodies or in the
bodies of their classmates.”
Since my daughter was naturally curious and asked questions
when I bought feminine products, I was able to answer
each question simply, explaining why menstruation happens.
As kids move into the elementary-school ages, it’s
important for parents to explain ways in which boys and
girls are physically different. Parents can share about where
babies come from, how conception occurs and how they
were born (beyond the general seed-planting idea).
LAUNCH INTO THE TEEN YEARS
by <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family
Help your tweens thrive in adolescence by preparing
them for this next stage of their lives.
Shop.<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca
SEX EDUCATION RESOURCES
Find <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family broadcasts, articles,
resources and more for giving your children
age-appropriate information.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/SexEducation
Ages 10 to 11
Help tweens understand the overview about God’s design
for sexuality. Launch Into the Teen Years, a parenting kit
developed by <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family, gives parents the tools
they need to talk about tween identity issues, changes
they’ll face at puberty and where God is amid all these new
changes. Depending on the maturity of your child, this is
the time to move from the early foundational talks to the
talk. Pam advises parents to keep this conversation centered
on the basics of what sexual intercourse is. “Try to keep the
main thing the main thing,” she says.
Perhaps plan a parent-tween getaway that communicates
to your child how discussing sex with him or her is a priority
for you. While the location should be private, it doesn’t
need to be behind your child’s closed door. For moms and
daughters, this could be a trip to the spa or a day trip to the
beach. Dads and sons may want to go camping or travel to
watch a favorite sports team play.
This talk is best planned when your children are between
the ages of 9 and 12, depending on your child’s maturity,
interest, exposure to topics and birth order. For example,
younger siblings who may have already heard a lot from
their brothers or sisters may need to be told at a younger
age than a first or only child. Parents should also adjust the
timing of the talk to best fit their children’s inquisitive or
naïve personalities.
Keep the conversation going
A parent’s responsibility doesn’t end with one big reveal.
Instead, be a safe place for kids to ask follow-up questions
and tackle challenging topics such as same-sex attraction,
pornography and transgenderism.
As kids get into the middle school years, they may
become more uncomfortable about discussing these topics
with an adult. But that doesn’t mean they’re any less curious.
It’s important for parents to be a consistent voice of
truth. When we have a clear strategy of what to talk about
and when to talk about it, the conversation allows us to
confidently explain God’s beautiful design of and purpose
for sex.
Rebecca Kittle is a wife, mother and freelance author.
14
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

THANKFULNESS / KIDS & TEENS
a heart of gratitude
The foundation to a joyful life
BY REBECCA CELESTINE
CREDIT JANAE TK HARDY PHOTOGRAPHY
AS A NEW PARENT, I recently
realized that my husband and I will
be our newborn daughter’s blueprint
for how to navigate the world. What
she learns from us in these early years
will form the foundation of her experiences.
From the start, one value I want
to pass on to her is gratitude.
Of course, we all want our children
to become grateful adults, but how
can we help them develop this character
quality in their lives? For insight,
I looked to friends who had far more
parenting experience than I do. Here’s
what I learned:
Gratitude from the heart
Gratitude isn’t just a habit or trait we
teach our children. It’s so much more
than learning to say thank you when
they don’t feel like it. Gratitude begins
with discovering who Jesus is and what
He did for us on the Cross. Our job as
parents is to help our children understand
that God has given us far more
than we could ever give Him in return.
Then, extending gratitude to others
is easy when our hearts are filled with
gratitude for His amazing gift of salvation.
One way to help our kids develop
hearts of gratitude is to have ongoing,
age-appropriate talks with them about
God’s gift:
• Christ reconciled us to God while
we were still sinners (Romans 5:8-10).
• God adopted us as His children
in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-5).
• We are heirs of glory with
Christ (Romans 8:14-17).
Gratitude modeled
A friend of mine and her soon-to-be
husband each had children from previous
marriages. Two of the girls were
the same age and eventually had to
share a room. At first it seemed like a
fun, never-ending sleepover, but soon
they began to argue about toys and
invade each other’s space. During this
transition, my friend would tell them
how blessed they were to be together.
One rainy day, when the girls started
arguing again, one of them stopped and
said, “But we’re blessed to be together
like this.”
What a beautiful example of how to
model gratitude for our children. We
can learn to do this more by asking
ourselves the following questions:
• In what areas do I want my
child to show gratitude?
• How can I model gratitude
in that area?
Gratitude is the foundation of a joyful
and contented life. Let’s teach our children
to give it from the heart.
Rebecca Celestine is a speaker, writer, wife
and mom, whose mission is to empower
women to live out their callings through
truth-filled communication.
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 15

KIDS & TEENS / THANKFULNESS
a wreath of
appreciation
Teach your kids to be
thankful this holiday season
Materials
• leaf template
• sheets of construction
paper in
multiple colors
• 8.5” single, wire
wreath ring
• hot glue gun or
any glue that will
attach paper to
metal
• pen
• scissors
Directions
1. Print the leaf pattern on four to six different
colors of construction paper. The template is
found at <strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/Magazine.
2. Each night at dinner, ask each member of
your family to write down what they’re grateful
for on one paper leaf.
3. Have everyone take turns reading aloud what
they wrote.
4. Show your kids how to fold their leaves in half
lengthwise. Adhere one edge of one end of
their leaf to the wire ring with glue.
Continue adding leaves around the wreath
until Thanksgiving Day. Then use this gratitude
wreath as a decoration to show how beautiful
thankfulness can be.
CREDIT JANAE HARDY TK PHOTOGRAPHY, ARLENTA APOSTROPHE-ADOBE STOCK -
16
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

THANKFULNESS / KIDS & TEENS
dodecahedron
of thankfulness
Find moments in daily life
to be thankful for
Materials
• dodecahedron template
• scissors
• glue
Directions
1. Print the template found at
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/Magazine
on white or color card stock.
2. Cut out the dodecahedron
pattern and fold on the lines.
3. Fold all lines (flaps and between
shapes).
4. Glue the right side of flaps to the
back side of the shapes.
5. Let dry.
Gather the family and
take turns rolling the
dodecahedron to
respond to each
thankfulness
prompt.
DOWNLOAD
FREE
TEMPLATES
— 7 DAYS OF —
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/
Magazine
FREE PDF DEVOTIONAL:
7 DAYS OF GRATITUDE
This free, seven-day devotional for families
will help you and your children reset
your perspective and start developing an
attitude of gratitude.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/Gratitude
CREDIT TK
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 17

KIDS & TEENS / FAITH
what Gen Zers
believe about God
Insights for parenting a new generation
BY JASON JIMENEZ
ILLUSTRATION BY
SHANIYA CARRINGTON
DREW, A GEN ZER, was raised in a Christian home. His parents
divorced when he was 11, and as Drew entered his teen years, he developed
serious anxiety. Drew continued to pray and attend church, but one
day he was struck with these thoughts: Is what I believe even true? I’ve
prayed and tried to grow in my faith, but none of it seems to matter.
From that point forward, Drew began
to retreat from any activities related to
faith. He decided that he was no longer
a practicing Christian.
Distortions of the faith
De-conversions like Drew’s don’t
always make headlines, but they do
leave scars. Countless parents have
firsthand experience watching their
teens and adult children join the growing
number of Christian dissenters.
Many parents believe in God, trust
Jesus Christ as Savior and rely on the
Bible as the Word of God, yet they lack
the knowledge and skill to adequately
articulate to their children why they
believe. Christian parents in general
tend to assume that their children
have a proper understanding of God,
but that’s not always the case. Many
teens and college students have a
distorted or negative view of God.
Maybe they haven’t received proper
teaching about God or perhaps
they’ve picked up a few wrong opinions
along the way.
Sharing your faith
You may be wondering, How can I
faithfully equip my children to believe
in Christianity with confidence?
Here are some ways to talk to your kids
about God, faith and the Bible:
Patience. Be patient and avoid making
assumptions about your kids.
Start where you’re at. Recognize
you don’t need a theology degree to
talk to your kids about God. If you do
want to sharpen your knowledge, learn
from resources such as The Case for
Christ for Kids by Lee Strobel, I Don’t
Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
by Norman Geisler or the Foundation
Worldview website. Then take time to
read passages in the Bible about the
nature of God, such as Romans 1:20,
Romans 5:8 and 1 John 4:8.
CREDIT TK
18
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

PARENTING
PARENTING
HELP HELP
in
in
a
a
HOSTILE
CULTURE
The Decline of Three
Truths Among Gen Z
¹⁄3
of Gen Zers believe
it is not possible
to know for sure
if God is real.
source:
Barna Group, 2018
Only
4 %
of Gen Zers have a
biblical worldview.
source:
Impact 360 Institute, 2018
CREDIT TK
Conversation starters. A great way to
start the conversation with your kids is
by asking them simple questions to get a
feel for what they know (or don’t know)
about the topic:
• “Who do you think God is?”
• “What do you know about God?”
• “What does the Bible say about God?”
• “Why can’t we see God?”
• “Are there ways we can know that
God is with us?”
Opportunities. Use everyday interactions
to continue discussions about
God. For your older Gen Zers, go deeper
with them by examining proper theology
about God. Consider preparing yourself
Less
than
40 %
of Gen Zers identify
as Christian.
source:
Religion in Public, 2022
for questions they might ask by going
through TrueU No. 1: Does God Exist?
with Dr. Stephen Myers or reading
Another Gospel? By Alisa Childers.
Parents need to model their faith
consistently, with passion and with conviction.
Gen Z is desperate for guidance,
for inspiration. The more your children
learn about Jesus, the more their lives
will change for the better.
Excerpted from Parenting Gen Z: Guiding
Your Child Through a Hostile Culture by
Jason Jimenez. © 2023 Jason Jimenez. All
rights reserved. A <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family resource
published by Tyndale House Publishers Inc.
Today’s culture is more
antagonistic Today’s culture toward is more biblical
values antagonistic than ever. toward This savvy biblical
mentoring values than for ever. parents This will savvy
help mentoring you truly for connect parents with will
your help kids, you set truly limits connect tech with
use, your discuss kids, set faith, limits sex, on porn, tech
LGBTQI use, discuss issues faith, and more. sex, porn,
LGBTQI issues and more.
Order online at
Shop.<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca
or call Order 1.800.661.9800
online at
Shop.<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca

KIDS & TEENS / TALKING TO GOD
a prayer for my kids
To withstand pressure
throughout the school year
BY TONY WOOD
LORD IN WHOSE PRESENCE is peace,
I’ve never known a time when kids faced the kinds
of pressures they do now. They are pressured to not
just do well academically but to consistently excel.
They are pressured to be outstanding in every possible
pursuit.
God, You know that I want my children to do well
in their pursuits and to apply themselves, but please
keep me from driving them in unhealthy ways. Reveal
to me if this is something I do but am unaware of. I
want my children to dream and reach and strive, but
only in ways that are life-giving and balanced, not
in ways where their self-worth and value depend on
their success. I want them to enjoy their school years
and not resent them.
Help my children to rely on Your strength in the
midst of pressure. May they find their identity in You,
not in performance or achievement. Amen.
Tony Wood is an award-winning songwriter. He and his wife,
Terri, live in Nashville, Tennessee.
Excerpted from Lord, Help Me Pray for My Kids by Tony Wood.
©2023 Tony Wood. All rights reserved. A <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family
resource published by Tyndale House Publishers Inc.
“We were under great pressure,
far beyond our ability to endure. . . .
But this happened that we might
not rely on ourselves but on God.”
—2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NIV)
JAKKAPAN-ADOBE STOCK
LORD, HELP ME
PRAY FOR MY KIDS
by Tony Wood
In this collection of daily prayers, Tony
encourages parents to pray for their kids
in ways they haven’t considered before.
Shop.<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca
CREDIT TK
20
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

RELATIONSHIP / KIDS & TEENS
LISTEN NOW!
Learn how to guide your
teen into adulthood with
Dr. Kenneth Wilgus.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/Radio
4 practical
parenting tips . . .
To stay engaged with your kids
during their teen years
BY EVIE PALMER
ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRENNA VAUGHAN
MY 15-YEAR-OLD daughter woke up
grumpy after staying up late the night before. As
she hurried to make her lunch so she wouldn’t be
late for home-school co-op, she slammed kitchen
cupboards and snapped at everyone else in the
room. Though I felt like rebuking her, I followed
the Holy Spirit’s lead and asked how I could help
her get ready. It was amazing to watch her attitude
change as we worked together to pack her lunch.
Shepherding teens can be challenging, but
expressing Jesus’ love in practical ways can make
all the difference in their lives. As parents, we
know it’s important to cultivate close relationships
with our teens, but we aren’t always sure how.
Here are a few shepherding tips that have helped
me on this journey: >
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 21

KIDS & TEENS / RELATIONSHIP
Don’t take it personally
While I was visiting with one of my friends, my daughter
grew moody and talked back to me. Instead of being gracious
toward her, I let my annoyance guide me. I was so focused on
her behavior that I lost sight of parenting her heart.
Later, I talked with her about the incident. That’s how I discovered
that stress about her driver’s test was at the root of her
disrespect. Our exchange helped me remember how I felt as
a teen.
To prevent taking things personally, I’ve tried to set aside
my feelings and remain calm. That helps me better understand
and address the underlying reasons for my teens’
actions. By doing this, I’ve found that I shepherd my teens
best when I extend them the grace and understanding Jesus
shows me.
Pursue your teen
One night while I was working late, my oldest son came
into the room and rubbed my shoulders. He had just
returned from a friend’s house, and I was preoccupied
with a deadline. I almost missed the opportunity to connect
with him. Thankfully, I caught myself in time, and we
had a good conversation.
As parents, we can become so preoccupied with our
to-do lists that we miss out on opportunities to shepherd
our teens and build better relationships with them. Deep
down, teens want us to pursue them. These moments can
be inconvenient. But when we’re intentional about spending
time with our teens and genuinely care about their
interests, our relationships grow deeper and richer.
Set minimum boundaries
When my daughter earned enough money to buy a cellphone,
I wasn’t thrilled. It would be easier to reach
her during her extracurricular activities, but I also knew
the risks that would come with the device. My husband
suggested that instead of saying no, we teach her how to navigate
this responsibility. So I approved the purchase, and we
made sure she understood that, at a minimum, we would
set parental controls and have ongoing conversations about
what was and was not appropriate.
The boundaries my husband and I set for our children are
intended for their safety, spiritual growth and the building
of relationships. If these boundaries and our family values
aren’t compromised, other boundaries can bend.
Another boundary took place when my daughter wanted
to be involved in a dating relationship. Although I allowed
her to hang out with the young man in groups and at our
house, they weren’t allowed to go anywhere alone. My
daughter protested but eventually saw the wisdom of this.
Build up your teen
When my daughter came home from her after-school job,
she told my husband and me that her supervisor told her
that she was awesome. She said, “I almost started crying
because I can’t remember the last time someone told
me that.”
I felt a sting of regret because I realized that there were
many times I would zero in on what she was doing wrong
instead of praising her exceptional attributes. After that
conversation, I began affirming my teens more. Now I
bite my tongue when I’m tempted to speak critical words.
Instead, I try to choose words that will impart grace and
show my teens how amazing they are to me. I’ve found
that encouraging my teens and building them up helps
them overcome life’s obstacles and grow into the men and
women God created them to be.
Evie Palmer is a full-time home-school mom of 10 children, including
four teens. Although she isn’t a perfect parent, Evie relies on Jesus for
wisdom and guidance as she shepherds her growing flock.
22
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

MEDIA / KIDS & TEENS
UPCOMING REVIEWS
For reviews of these and other titles,
visit PluggedIn.com, <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family’s
media review and discernment website.
CHATGPT & YOUR KIDS
BY ADAM HOLZ
BY NOW YOU’VE LIKELY HEARD about ChatGPT.
This next-gen artificial intelligence (AI) app doesn’t
just search the internet to find information, as traditional
search engines do. Instead, programs like
ChatGPT synthesize data into articles, conversational
texts and other types of writing for you. It’s a revolutionary
advance that students and teachers alike have
realized could have huge implications for education.
A student assigned to write a paper on the origins
of World War II, for example, could instruct ChatGPT,
“Give me a 750-word summary of the main causes
that led to Hitler’s rise,” and ChatGPT will craft it for
you in minutes. No writing, no thinking . . . just an
instant report.
Admittedly, teachers are wising up to the “tells”
that something was created by an AI application. Still,
some students will try to get away with it.
So how do we respond as parents?
Technology has often created new ethical questions.
Fear and the desire to maintain control are
obvious responses. But while we may need to help
kids in terms of accountability, I wonder if a broader
response should focus on bigger, character-oriented
questions.
What does it mean to be people who are trustworthy?
What motivates us to work hard when
technology can do so much? How can we use
technology creatively and ethically as we pursue
redemptive outcomes? What does God think about
how we do our work?
These are the kinds of questions we must
grapple with as families if we hope to equip our
kids with the wisdom and character they’ll need
to thrive in our ever-changing world.
ORDINARY
ANGELS
The true story
of neighbors
in Louisville,
Kentucky, who
rally together to
help a little girl
get a life-saving
transplant.
SCHEDULED RELEASE:
OCT. 13
DUNE: PART TWO
What price is Paul willing to pay to seek revenge
against his conspirators and become an emperor?
SCHEDULED RELEASE: NOV. 3
WISH
Will the adorable-looking
cosmic force that connects
with Asha in the
kingdom of Rosas send
her in the right direction?
SCHEDULED RELEASE: NOV. 22
Adam Holz is the director of Plugged In. He and his wife, Jennifer,
have three children.
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 23

ADULT KIDS / HACKS & FACTS
Money Management
88 %
of Gen Zers
say they would
not be able to
handle a major
unexpected
expense.
source:
Morning
Consult, 2023
COFFEE
ON A
BUDGET
My husband encouraged
our adult
daughter to evaluate
the financial cost of
her daily on-the-go
coffee. After she
added up the monthly
total, her eyes were
opened to how pricey
her habit had become.
Filling a travel mug
at home and saving
the drive-thru experience
for an occasional
treat was an easy way
for her to put more
money aside for her
saving and investing
goals.
—Julia Springman
tracking your tips
My youngest daughter loves to drive. When she
moved out, she struggled to stay on budget. I
suggested she download an app to track her
spending. She soon realized that her unplanned
miles were causing excess spending on gas,
and her casual trips all over town were sabotaging
her efforts to grow her savings. The app
was eye-opening and motivated her to make
changes to her driving habits.
—Stephanie Rodda
earning and learning
We allowed our oldest son to live at home so he could save
money for his future. But after seeing his weekly package deliveries
and his habit of eating at restaurants, we asked him to move
out. Months after living on his own, he realized his lost opportunity.
He then cautioned his siblings not to do the same as he did.
When my daughter’s work hours were cut, she had to tighten
her spending and tap into her savings to help cover expenses. I
was tempted to give her money, but her trial propelled her to
look for another job—and she’s now earning more money.
—Jennifer Henn
MILLES STUDIO-STOCKSY
24
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

couples
“WHEN WE’RE
COMMITTED TO
CHOOSING EACH
OTHER AND OUR
MARRIAGE OVER
OUR PRIDE AND
PREFERENCES, WE
CREATE TRUST,
RESPECT AND
A CLOSENESS
THAT IS
INDESCRIBABLE.”
ТОНЯ КОРЕНЕВА-ADOBE STOCK
—KARI TRENT
STAGEBERG, PAGE 26
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 25

COUPLES / CONFLICT
different but
undivided
Appreciating your spouse’s quirks
makes your marriage stronger
BY KARI TRENT STAGEBERG
ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAVE SZALAY
JOEY AND I had been married two weeks when I found
him cleaning the house wearing big, yellow cleaning gloves
and a head lamp. He looked thrilled about all the dirt he was
finding. While I should have been ecstatic that he was deep
cleaning, I began to worry that we were going to have problems
when he realized how messy I was.
Sure enough, a few weeks later, we were both frustrated
with how different we were—not only over our cleaning styles
but also over decision-making, problem-solving, budgeting
and even towel-folding preferences. One day, after we got
into a huge fight about the dishwasher, we realized our differences
were ripping us apart. We needed to change how we
related to each other so we could appreciate our differences
rather than letting them deflate us.
Every relationship is full of differences. Yet the opposite
traits of your spouse can actually make you stronger as a
couple—if you let them. Use the following ideas to help you
appreciate and even celebrate your differences and build a
healthier relationship.
God created your spouse
Joey is great at collecting information to make a strong decision.
But that often requires processing time. I’m great at
facing problems head-on and making sure things get dealt
with. But that means I can rush into a decision.
Anytime I push Joey to rush, he feels as if I don’t value his
input or want him to have a voice in the decision. Once I realized
how Joey felt, I knew I had to slow down and invite him
into the decision-making process. That was a game changer
for us.
26
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

CONFLICT / COUPLES
RELATIONSHIP
PERSON
ISSUE
When Joey did the research, our decisions were so much
better than the knee-jerk choices I’d have opted for. On the
flip side, Joey found that my strengths could relieve the pressure
he felt when we needed to make a quick decision, such
as when something broke and we needed an immediate
replacement.
As we learned to appreciate how God created each of
us, we started to see our differences in a positive way. We
stopped attacking each other and got excited about the stronger
outcomes we experienced when both of us participated in
the decision-making process.
On an issue level
When it comes to dealing with an issue in your marriage,
think of a pyramid with three levels. The bottom level is the
issue itself—the specific difference you’re talking or arguing
about. The middle level represents the person. At the top is
the relationship.
Starting at the bottom of the pyramid, if you work out a
compromise together, things don’t escalate. But if you don’t
resolve the issue, you move to the next level and may find
yourself attacking your spouse as a person. You might criticize
your spouse’s character or personality by saying, “If you
were just more detailed” or “If you were less like your mother.”
If you don’t resolve the issue at this level, you move to the
relationship level. At this point you might say, “If we have
these kinds of issues and you are this kind of person, then
what am I doing in this relationship?”
When a husband and wife reach this level for a single issue,
they’ll often begin to pull away from each other emotionally
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 27

New
f r o m
f o c u s
Families need prayer! Pray
more intentionally for the
institution of the family
around the world, and for
your family too, with prayer
prompts you can follow
as you read through this
New Living Translation of
the Bible. Makes a great
Christmas gift!
Order online at
Shop.<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca
or call 1.800.661.9800
THE MERGE FOR MARRIAGE
by Kari Trent Stageberg
Learn the skills needed to blend two lives
as newly married husband and wife.
Shop.<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca
or physically. When they encounter subsequent issues, they’ll be
more likely to skip immediately to the relationship level.
In the Song of Solomon 2:15, we’re told to “catch the foxes for
us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in
blossom.” Little foxes are too small to reach up and grab the fruit
dangling above them on a vine. Instead, they use their sharp teeth to
cut down the vine at the root. Then they eat the fruit that falls to the
ground. If enough little foxes show up and cut down the vines, they
can ruin an entire vineyard that is ripe and ready to produce a great
harvest. The same thing can happen in our marriages when we don’t
deal with issues when they’re small.
To make sure they don’t escalate up the pyramid or multiply like
little foxes, Joey and I use our weekly date night to bring up matters
we need to address. We spend time talking and determining how we
can resolve the conflict together.
A common enemy
Studies show that taking on a common opponent can unite even the
bitterest of enemies. So it’s time for you and your spouse to confront

CONFLICT / COUPLES
what I like to call the Merge, a sneaky enemy that uses your
differences to keep you divided. If you take on the Merge
as a team, you can attack issues and challenges together
instead of attacking each other.
Through the insights of friends, Joey and I discovered the
Merge about six months into our marriage when our differences
were clearly winning the war in our relationship. To
remind us that we were now on the same team, we wrote
a big note on our fridge that said, “It’s not you—it’s the
Merge.”
That note became a powerful way to help us stop an argument
before it moved past the issue level. We’d say, “OK, we
don’t agree. But let’s figure out how we can beat the Merge
together.”
By reframing the situation, we moved from opposing
sides to the same team. As partners, we were able to look at
the problem from different perspectives, invite each other
into the process, value each other’s strengths and eventually
find a solution together.
Choose to value your differences
Joey is still a neat freak and vacuums our house every night
before we go to bed. And I still make messes, though I’m
more aware of them. We’ve both learned to show more
grace to each other without feeling frustrated over our
differences.
We can choose to value our spouse—differences and all.
We can choose to take the time to deal with issues. We can
choose to fight together instead of fighting each other. And
we can even choose to get help from a professional counselor,
our pastor, a trusted friend or a couple we love if
we’re really struggling.
Our differences will never disappear. But when we’re
committed to choosing each other and our marriage over
our pride and preferences, we create trust, respect and a
closeness that is indescribable.
Kari Trent Stageberg is the CEO of StrongFamilies and the author of
The Merge for Marriage, a <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family book published by
Tyndale House Publishers.
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 29

COUPLES / THANKFULNESS
NOTICING THE
LITTLE THINGS
Show your gratitude by jotting
down what you appreciate
about your spouse
BY GARY THOMAS
CREDIT TK
30
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

THANKFULNESS / COUPLES
AT FIRST IT LOOKED LIKE the
worst gift ever. I could read the expression
on my wife’s, Lisa’s, face: “Why would you give
this to me?”
Lisa held the stationery-store journal and
thought (she later told me), You know I don’t
like to journal. Please don’t ask me to do this.
But then she noticed it was stamped for the
previous year, and the entries were already
filled in.
The first page read, “Lisa’s Lovely Ways.”
Each day that year, I’d written down something
about her I was thankful for or some quality I
admired that blessed me.
When she saw that, she cried.
“You found 365 things to say? Like, even on
my ornery days?”
Every morning, I had to come up with something
new. In expressing my thanks for Lisa, I
couldn’t write down the same thing 10 or even
five times without it losing its power.
As the months passed, I asked God to
remind me of something praiseworthy Lisa
had done. By summer, I started “scanning”
Lisa throughout the day, eager to catch something
I could write in the journal. Literally, I
was training my brain to look for the positive
and ignore the negative. That journal was a gift
to me long before I presented it to her. It fostered
an attitude of gratitude in me.
As we approach the holidays, let’s consider
how we can nourish our marriages with
thanksgiving.
SALLY DUNN-FOTF
Portions of this article first appeared in the October/
November 2021 issue of <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family magazine
as “Gratitude With Purpose.” © 2021 Gary Thomas.
All rights reserved. Used with permission.
CREDIT TK
WATCH ONLINE
In this five-part series,
Gary Thomas offers
advice and encouragement
to husbands and wives
as they seek to cherish
each other every day.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/
Cherish
NOW IT’S
YOUR TURN!
Turn the page
for a 30-day
calendar.
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 31

30
DAYS
of Giving
Thanks
FOR YOUR SPOUSE
Now it’s your turn. If a year is too
much, then try it for 30 days.
7
1
2
8
Create a thankfulness calendar for your spouse.
Jot down ways you appreciate your husband
or wife. Remember to think of new reasons
and expressions of thankfulness for each day.
At the end of 30 days, consider gifting the filled
calendar to your spouse.
13
14
15
16
19
20
21
22
25
26
27
28
32
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

3
4
5
6
9
10
11
12
17
18
tips for what to write
Look for what your spouse does. Be specific and
mention why it matters to you. You might say:
• I could tell you were a bit tired this morning, but you
went to work anyway. Thank you, honey!
• It was so cold out, but you scraped the ice off my
car’s windows before I needed to take the kids to
school. I appreciate you!
23
24
Compliment character traits. You might say:
• Thank you for being so positive today. Your attitude
always lifts me up.
• Thank you for being such a good father or mother.
The kids laughed so loud playing with you today;
music to my ears!
Recognize your spouse’s patience. You might say:
• I know I was short with you today, but you were so
patient. I’m so blessed to be married to you!
29
30
NEW AFRICA-ADOBE STOCK
• I’m sorry I can be so forgetful. Thanks for putting
up with me when I lost my keys again and for not
making a big deal about it.
Thanking your spouse for something positive
doesn’t mean there aren’t things you and your
spouse still need to work on. Always remember
that gratitude fertilizes the relational soil for future
growth. Noticing and appreciating even the small
things can be tremendously motivating for your
spouse to create more of the same. —GT
If you want to fill out more calendar
entries, get our printable download.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/Magazine
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 33

Hope Restored
A marriage counselling
retreat for couples in crisis
Facilitated by registered Christian therapists,
the Hope Restored intensive program offers a
unique counselling approach based on
biblical principles to address the problem
and begin a path toward healing.
Start restoring your marriage today!
1.833.999.HOPE (4673)
HopeRestoredCanada.ca
Make your strong marriage
even stronger!
Based on the proven principles of the Hope
Restored intensive program, these conferences
and retreats provide couples with practical tools to
create a more vibrant, intimate and loving marriage.
Strengthen your marriage today!
1.833.2.ENRICH (1.833.236.7424)
EnrichYourMarriage.ca

faith &
inspiration
YAROSLAV DANYLCHENKO-STOCKSY
“SOMETIMES THE
THING WE CAN
DO TO BE MOST
EFFECTIVE IS TO
SPEND TIME WITH
THE LORD SO HE
CAN MOLD OUR
CHARACTER.”
—SAM DOERKSEN, PAGE 36
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 35

FAITH & INSPIRATION / MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT
DARING TO
Rest
Experiencing God’s
transformative Sabbath
at Kerith Retreats
BY SAM DOERKSEN
IT WAS 1988 and I was waiting on the tarmac,
wondering what it would be like to fly in a 737. I was
nervous. I waited until the passenger in the assigned
seat next to me sat down and I started a conversation.
I was trying to find a distraction, something
that would take my mind off the trip, something that
would relax me. It didn’t take long for my new friend
to take me up on the conversation. Turns out she had
a distraction: it was liquid form in a small bottle. She
consumed a few of them and it seemed to work for
her. For myself, I had no interest in numbing my reality,
but rather doing my best to embrace my first flight
on a large aircraft. I had been on a smaller plane once
before and all was good. Although the bank turns
made me grip my seat to make sure I would not fall
out of the aircraft. Funny how it made me feel a little
more secure. Knees knocking, hands folded to
pray, conversation happening with my neighbour
who by now had a hard time keeping quiet—I was
just nervous to fly. What would make me muster up
the courage to get on this flight if I was nervous and
afraid?
Well, I was off to see my dear girlfriend. We had
been dating for about six months at that point and
had not seen each other for two or three months. We
really enjoyed spending time together in conversation,
getting to know each other. Letters every day, regular
phone calls—so many phone calls that my first
CREDIT TK
36
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT / FAITH & INSPIRATION
ROB AND JULIA CAMPBELL-STOCKSY
phone bill cost more than the flight
to Toronto! But knowing that the end
result would be spending time with
Pauline was worth the risk.
Have you ever been hesitant or
afraid to try something new? Even
if you were told it would be good for
you? Then later you wonder why you
didn’t indulge earlier? As a matter of
fact, after you accomplish the task you
set out to accomplish you realize you
quite enjoyed it. This was the
case when I considered going
to a Kerith Ministry Leaders
Retreat 13 years ago. There
were a lot of questions that I
didn’t have answers for. Yet,
after attending, I wondered
why it took me so long to
embrace the opportunity.
Here are a few of the reasons,
or perhaps excuses, that were
prominent in my mind for not wanting
to try something new in my pastoral
ministry.
First, I thought, I don’t need a
retreat. What is being said or implied
by the suggestion that I need to go on a
retreat? Why do I need a rest? I thought
taking the time to go to a retreat
seemed like a waste of time. There is
ministry to be done. With all that I am
responsible for, I am too busy to go to a
retreat. With what I am responsible for,
it is difficult to give up a whole week
of my time! Apparently, those around
me who encouraged me to go thought
I could use the retreat and that it was
only one week.
Second, what will happen when I
am away? The loss of control (which
is hard to admit), whether perceived
or otherwise seemed overwhelming.
Will everything continue on the way I
would like it to if I am not there? I just
need to stay and work. What if others
try to change some things and now
they see the chance to do so? (As if this
would happen in a week.)
Third, refusal to self-reflect. This
was significant for me. What if I need
to change some things about the way
I am doing ministry? This would show
that I have been doing it wrong! It is
difficult to hear things that we need to
hear. Deep down I knew that there was
much to learn, but what would happen
in the meantime? I thought I could
help myself—I just needed time.
Fourth, soul care. We are humans
and we need to take care of ourselves.
“Have you ever been hesitant
or afraid to try something
new? Even if you were told it
would be good for you?”
—Sam Doerksen
Not in a narcissistic way, but in a way
that we are healthy to serve God. But
at the time I thought taking care of
oneself before others was just wrong.
I have been asked to serve others—I
want to serve others—not have others
serve me in this way. I can do it. As
the old saying goes, pull up the bootstraps.
Interesting that in Acts 20:28, it
says: “Keep watch over yourselves and
all the flock of which the Holy Spirit
has made you overseers. Be shepherds
of the church of God, which he bought
with his own blood” (NIV). Doesn’t
soul care just come naturally? That way
we can keep on serving others without
any effort on our part to stop and evaluate
where we are at.
Fifth, people will know where I
will be going. A retreat centre for pastors,
missionaries and ministry leaders
must be for those who cannot “handle”
the workload. It will feel like I
have failed. By the way, isn’t it only for
burned out pastors and other leaders?
It’s that place! It seemed like a stigma.
It’s not the case, but whether perceived
or real it went through my mind. And it
influenced my decision making.
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number
our days, that we may gain a heart
of wisdom” (NIV). Sometimes the
thing we can do to be most effective
is to spend time with the Lord so He
can mold our character. We serve out
of who we are and so it’s important to
have good character.
I can recall when my mother would
try to introduce a new food to me
and would say, “You don’t know what
you’re missing.” I assured her
that I knew full well what I
was missing. It is strange that
a number of years later I am
eating those foods that she
thought I should try. She was
trying to give me something
good. Well, when it came to
going to a Kerith Retreat in
2010, I realized that my fears,
hesitations and concerns were also
of the perceived sort. The retreat was
excellent! We were given tools for the
toolbox as it were. My perspective had
changed.
My reasons for not wanting to go to
any retreat made sense to me at the
time. I realized later that much of my
process was through the lens of I’m
not sure what to expect. It’s always a little
nerve-wracking to go somewhere
not knowing who is going to be there
or what am I going to have to do when
I get there. But I imagine that all of the
guests are probably thinking the same
thing. I am glad that my wife, Pauline,
and I went to a Kerith Retreat when we
did. It was good to spend time together,
reading Scripture and taking in some
wisdom from the directors. The end
result was worth the risk. Sometimes
you just have to take the first step, and
I’m glad I did!
Sam Doerksen and his wife, Pauline, are the
program directors at <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family
Canada’s Manitoba Kerith Retreats location.
For more information about our retreats, visit
KerithRetreats.ca.
© 2023 <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family (Canada)
Association. All rights reserved.
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 37

FAITH & INSPIRATION / MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT
Kerith Ministry Leaders Retreats
WORKING IN MINISTRY has many blessings, but
there are also many unique challenges. Pastors, missionaries
and para church leaders experience a high rate of burnout
and fatigue, and many put so much care into their congregation,
they have very little left to care for themselves. <strong>Focus</strong>
on the Family Canada’s all-inclusive Kerith Ministry Leaders
Retreats are designed to give ministry leaders the opportunity
to get away from their daily stresses to experience true
rest and rejuvenation.
Over the course of seven days, Kerith Retreat guests not
only experience the calm and beauty of our retreat centre’s
natural surroundings, but they also receive specialized
teaching in a small group setting to learn how to navigate
the constant challenges that arise in their vocation. Whether
the guests are married or single, these ministry retreats give
them a chance to enjoy a restful setting conducive to spiritual
restoration and deepened intimacy with Christ.
For many years we have faithfully been serving ministry
leaders at our two retreat centres: Kerith Creek in Alberta
and Kerith Pines in Manitoba.
Starting in September, we are excited to be offering Kerith
Retreats at our third and newest retreat centre in Ontario!
Kerith Waters is approximately one hour away from
Toronto, just east of Port Perry, and provides an oasis for
those seeking restoration. This lovely estate offers yearround
natural splendour and immediately makes guests feel
as though they’ve entered another world. With 96 secluded
acres surrounded by mature forests, and a facility overlooking
a spring-fed pond, this location provides a unique
opportunity for ministry leaders in Ontario and Eastern
Canada to rest, recalibrate and re-engage with God.
“This past year we have often described life as heavy.
From a
Kerith Retreat This week has been an incredible time to set down
attendee the weight and wait on God. We have been refreshed
daily in God’s Word, reminded of biblical principles,
felt so cared for and really been able to rest. We are
so thankful for this time to ‘make straight paths for our feet, so
what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed’
(Hebrews 12:13). We are excited that God has chosen to use
us, so grateful He gifted us this rest at Kerith, and are leaving
inspired to continue in His service.”
ALBERTA LOCATION
MANITOBA LOCATION
Visit KerithRetreats.ca to learn more about
the program, discover what makes each
location uniquely restful, and find answers
to frequently asked questions.
ONTARIO LOCATION
38
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

SHAUNA LYNN PANCZYSZYN-THE CAT AGENCY
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 39

FAITH & INSPIRATION / FAITHFULNESS
are you
kingdom
focused?
BY DR. TONY EVANS
LISTEN NOW!
Dr. Tony Evans shares how
to have a kingdom mindset
in your walk with God.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/
Radio
40
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

FAITHFULNESS / FAITH & INSPIRATION
THE KINGDOMS OF THIS
WORLD would have us forget
where our home is. But we, as members
of the body of Christ, get our
instructions and directions from
another realm—from another King
who is heading up another kingdom.
You are a kingdom citizen. Once you
understand and apply that truth, living
with a kingdom focus will come more
naturally.
Satan seeks to keep you living in a
state of forgetfulness. He wants you
to forget that earth is not really your
home. If Satan can remove the thought
of eternity from every item on your
life’s itinerary, then he will get you to
live only for right now.
Until you view things from God’s
perspective, as His kingdom citizen
on earth, specifically placed here on
assignment, you will confuse your priorities
and misuse your time. It is when
you learn how to align your focus with
His kingdom perspective that you will
discover the thrill that comes in not
only reimagining but also living out a
brighter tomorrow.
a word from
friends and family
Dr. Tony Evans not only admonishes us to keep a kingdom
focus, but those close to him also share how he’s exemplified
this dedication to the Word and doing kingdom work
to the glory of God:
“Ministry is an overflow of [my father’s] genuine
friendship with Jesus. Every aspect of his public
impact is an outworking of his private pursuit
of holiness and integrity.”
—Priscilla Shirer, Tony Evans’ youngest daughter
“I know my dad loves God because I’ve never seen
him do anything other than focus on making sure
his life is a reflection of that fact. There’s never been
a question of his faithfulness to his calling and to his
family.”
—Anthony Evans Jr., Tony Evans’ oldest son
“I know of no one more solidly rooted in God’s Word
or more passionately committed to advancing His
kingdom than Dr. Tony Evans. His remarkable legacy
has touched countless lives and will surely endure
for generations.”
—Jim Daly, president of <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family (U.S.)
Adapted from Kingdom <strong>Focus</strong> by Tony Evans.
© 2023 Dr. Tony Evans. All rights reserved. A
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family resource published by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
CREDIT TK
Dr. Tony Evans is an accomplished author
and the founder and senior pastor of Oak
Cliff Bible Fellowship. The first African
American to earn a Doctor of Theology
from Dallas Theological Seminary, his many
accomplishments also include serving as
a former chaplain for NBA and NFL teams.
And as founder and president of The Urban
Alternative, he also hosts “The Alternative with
Dr. Tony Evans,” a radio broadcast.
COURTESY OF TONY EVANS
KINGDOM FOCUS
by Tony Evans
Do you desire to keep your eyes ever
fixed on God? Dr. Evans reveals that by
aligning your journey with Scripture you
can maximize your life here on earth.
Shop.<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 41

FAITH & INSPIRATION / MEDIA
movie messages:
Guillermo del Toro’s
Pinocchio
Seek and find worldviews
while having fun as a family
BY PLUGGED IN
ILLUSTRATIONS BY TIM BRADFORD
THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
bombards us with obvious and subtle messages.
But we often don’t recognize them as worldviews or
notice how they skew our thinking. To help you and
your family identify varying worldviews in the culture,
play this game of Movie Messages while watching the
Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
Directions
1. Give every player a set of 10 worldview cards
(at right). Additional sets can be printed
at <strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/Magazine.
2. Watch Pinocchio until you reach an incident
on the game board. Then pause the movie.
3. Each player chooses a card that matches the
worldview identified in the movie and places it
facedown, and then everyone turns their card
over to reveal their answer. (Find the correct
answer in the Parents Guide to Movie Messages
download.)
4. The correct cards are removed from play. The
cards deemed incorrect are returned to each
player, and the movie continues.
5. This board game doesn’t cover every worldview
in this movie. Players who have guessed wrong
can catch up by calling out the correct worldview,
if it comes up again in the movie. (This
can only be done with worldview cards that
have been removed from play.)
6. The first player to get rid of eight of their cards is
the winner.
Note: For young children who aren’t ready to
play this game, a casual mention like: “That’s
scientism. Science is good, and God is real,” is
a good way to start worldview training.
AUTHORITY
BIAS
convinces
people
to never
question
a leader.
FASCISM
is a political ideology
that often centers on a
dictator; individual rights
are less important
than the strength
of the state.
KARMA
is believed to be a
good or bad force
that affects you—
either now or in another
life—depending on
the good or bad
you do today.
MATERIALISM
involves valuing
stuff over
people.
PAGANISM
revolves around
nature worship
or the belief in a
deity other than
the one true God.
CHRISTIANITY
tells us that our life
and salvation are
dependent on God
and our belief in
and allegiance to
His Son, Jesus.
FATALISM
is the belief that there’s
no point in taking action
because events are
predetermined.
MARXISM
defines the constant
power struggle
between people
who own stuff and
those who make it.
NATIONALISM
is the idea that
supporting your
country is of utmost
importance.
PRAGMATISM
says that the right
decision depends on
what you get out of it.
42
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

EXPLORE
PINOCCHIO
FOR ITS HIDDEN
MESSAGES.
12:34
THE WOOD
SPRITE COMES
OUT OF THE
FOREST.
17:12
SEBASTIAN
J. CRICKET
GETS A WISH.
PINOCCHIO
SAYS HE’LL OBEY
IF HE GETS
CHOCOLATE.
28:24
29:29
PODESTA
BRAGS ABOUT
CANDLEWICK.
PINOCCHIO
GOES TO
CHURCH.
24:44
39:56
COUNT VOLPE
TEMPTS PINOCCHIO
WITH FAME, VANITY AND
POWER.
PINOCCHIO
SINGS ABOUT
DEFENDING ITALY.
1:04:50
CREDIT TK
Additional worldview cards in
the Parents Guide to Movie
Messages can be found at
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/
Magazine.
1:06:37
COUNT VOLPE CAN’T
HIDE HIS EXCITEMENT
ABOUT PINOCCHIO
PERFORMING FOR
MUSSOLINI.
1:32:04
GEPPETTO
BELIEVES
THEY’RE
STUCK
IN THE
WHALE
FOREVER.
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 43

EXTENDED FAMILY / HACKS & FACTS
Family Togetherness
HOLIDAY
PLACE MAT
This festive place mat will give
the children at your Thanksgiving
gathering the opportunity to color
while keeping their table space clean.
DOWNLOAD
THIS FREE
PLACE MAT
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/
Magazine
a leftovers tea party
My husband and I help our 10-year-old
daughter host an annual tea party the day after
Thanksgiving. We create the invitations together
and send them to her grandparents, aunts and
uncles. All guests are asked to wear a nice shirt
and sometimes a fancy hat.
The party lasts an hour, and she serves leftover
desserts from Thanksgiving and hot tea that my
husband and I help prepare. Our daughter and
her grandma sometimes bake cookies for the
party, too. Last year we played rebus puzzles
and guessed how much candy was in a jar. The
winners receive a gift card.
—Camille Jones
“I will give thanks to the LORD with
my whole heart; I will recount
all of your wonderful deeds.”
—Psalm 9:1
paint, pumpkins
and paper turkeys
To build family togetherness at Thanksgiving, I plan a craft
suitable for all ages. It makes the adults feel young and
the kids stay engaged. We might paint or carve pumpkins,
decorate a big family tree with pictures or make paper
turkeys. It’s also easy to talk and reconnect while doing
the craft together.
—Emily Yang
PLACEMAT-KATIE EBERTS, SALLY DUNN-FOTF
44
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

HACKS & FACTS / EXTENDED FAMILY
piece by piece
Every year at Thanksgiving
our family breaks out a new
jigsaw puzzle to work on. Both
grandmother and grandson might
be working on putting together end
pieces, while mom and daughter
select a different area to complete.
By the end of the weekend, we
usually have a completed puzzle,
along with many new memories of
being together for the holiday.
—Angie Garrett
OLD-FASHIONED FUN
When it was time to cook the holiday dinner, my children often
asked to help their grandmother. I loved when my mother-inlaw
took out a nonelectric hand mixer and showed my daughter
how to work it. My daughter told me later, “That was fun, but I’m
glad we don’t mix everything that way.” When it would get busy
in the kitchen, Grandpa would play ball in the yard with the kids.
I know it sounds old-fashioned, but this is what memories are
made of, and I’m thankful we have them.
—Tricia Couffer
PETAR CHERNAEV-ISTOCK PHOTO
apart, yet together
With our extended family scattered
across the country, we realized
we’d have to meet virtually if we
were going to be together
for Thanksgiving.
My father was inspired by
Matthew 19:14, which says, “Jesus
said, ‘Let the little children come
to me and do not hinder them,
for to such belongs the kingdom
of heaven.’ ”
In this spirit, we encouraged
the kids to meet in advance of
the holiday via a video call. They
loved their time together as they
crafted beautiful, innocent words
to begin our Thanksgiving prayer.
The grandparents then added their
wisdom, followed by the parents.
Then we printed the entire
prayer on a card and mailed it
to each family. On Thanksgiving,
we gathered on a video call to
continue our tradition of saying
grace before our meal. Each
family member took a turn reading
a portion of the prayer. After
concluding with a joyful “Amen!”
we all felt connected, blessed
and loved.
—Jessica Witkowski
OCT / NOV 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 45

MY THRIVING FAMILY / SNAPSHOTS
Thanksgiving
Charm
Two pumpkin pals make the perfect
bookends for our grandson.
—Michael from Michigan
A special message shows our girls’ delight at
Thanksgiving. —Ashley from Ontario
Selena, 6, and Sophia, 4
Our son commemorates Thanksgiving with his own
Mayflower. —Abby from North Carolina
Jackson, 6
My grandson is the cutest little Thanksgiving
blessing. —Joy from Colorado
Donald, 7 months
SEND US
YOUR PHOTOS!
Email photos* of your child
visiting a pumpkin patch
or baking cookies. Put
“Pumpkins” or “Cookies”
in the subject line.
info@fotf.ca
* Largest photo possible. Professional photos are not accepted.
46
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA
OCT / NOV 2023

A great Christmas
gift idea!
Kids love to
receive their
own mail
Send a fun magazine
that grows their faith!
From
$29 .99
AGES
3-7
Clubhouse Jr.
Faith-building fun
for boys’ and girls’
formative years
featuring stories, craft
ideas, jokes and puzzles
that teach God’s truth.
AGES
8-12
Clubhouse
An award-winning
magazine for boys and
girls featuring adventure
stories, mysteries, bios
of servant-hearted kids,
crafts and more.
TEEN
GIRLS
Brio
Godly role models,
relationship advice, Bible
readings, fashion tips,
quizzes and more to
help young women build
their life on faith.
Subscribe or renew online at
Shop.<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/Magazines or call 1.800.661.9800

Share the
Wonder
of
God’s Love
Find faith-inspiring Christmas gifts for everyone on your list at
Shop.<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca