did any of you feel that?

[Kiwi-family]

"that" being a serious (although emotional rather than literal) footstomping from DownUnder.....we have just told two of our kids that while we are walking next year we've arranged an opportunity for them to go to India. They are not impressed! I've written down all their comments and it is going to make interesting reading when they look back;-)

 

[peregrina2000]

Sounds like great opportunity, but I can understand their foot-stomping -- I know which one I would choose even though I've walked more than a dozen caminos! Laurie

 

[Kiwi-family]

Laurie, they didn't want to come on the camino......they were looking forward to staying home largely unsupervised;-)
We have had one long discussion, I have written them an even longer letter explaining how I understand and what I thought their reaction would be and what my responses to that are and all the (18) reasons I think they should go - they are most frustrated that my letter makes perfect sense but they still DON'T WANT TO GO TO INDIA!
They have 103 reasons each as to why they should not go and they are all "I don't want to"!!!!

 

[tyrrek]

I must admit I'd have raised an eyebrow if my parents had approached me with a compulsory 'opportunity' to go to India.

 

[dalston999]

How old are they? Do they need to make their own decisions about how they spend their time?

 

[Alexster66]

India is quite a bit different but my folks use to send me alone to England during our summer holidays between the ages of 10 to 13 as a great experience and opportunity, which it was but the postcards
I received from them and my brothers and sister from Bali and the like was always..........uuummmmmm well you know . At least your kids will know where you will be, relatively.
I do have some incredible lifelong memories though.

 

[Kiwi-family]

They will be 15 and 16, and so, yes they do get a big say in what they do.
We fully expected a bit of an explosive reaction, but we are discussing it civilly.
Didn't help that Grandpa (cautious Grandpa) came home form a week away and was unreservedly enthusiastic about it.
When asked if he would like to go back (he grew up there 80 years ago) and accompany them, he said "When do we leave?"
I can feel them softening already. Daughter is trying to negotiate and is surprised that we are taking her really seriously (we always do, but I think she thought we were telling her this is what's happening - and actually we're not) I still hope they go though. And with Grandpa would be so special.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Well, the younger one, the daughter, the one who we thought would be most reluctant has said she is willing to go. Not happy, but willing and ready to make the most of the experience!
They talked with the dad of one of their friends yesterday and were most perturbed that he said everything I had said!!!!!
Son is saying he has not heard a clear directive from God in spite of praying about it. I have suggested he is perhaps just not recognising that God is speaking through others like the man yesterday, his Grandpa and his parents!
It has been beautiful to watch the softening of my daughter, and it has drawn us closer as I've stood beside her saying "Yes,I know it will be hard for you, I can sense your struggle, and at the same time I believe in you and know you can do this."