Farewell to Xylem

I would like to announce that the decision has been made to not reregister Xylem Family Resource as a nonprofit in Colorado and Ohio or continue its federal tax-exempt status.

This decision was made for a variety of reasons and I can assure you that it was not made lightly. We pursued many options, including discussions with several individuals regarding the possibility of taking over the organization. At this time, there was not a good fit for either the organization or these individuals.

I cofounded Xylem Family Resource almost seven years ago and have personally invested a lot of time, energy, emotion, money, and love into Xylem and the beautiful families it had the privilege to serve. I have learned so much on this journey. I am honored that I was entrusted with this endeavor. And I am humbled that I got to play some role in the hundreds of families that Xylem was able to help toward restoration in the past seven years.

Xylem could not have been the ministry it was without all of the work of the contractors, educators, volunteers and supporters over the years. There were so many amazing people involved in this ministry dedicated to supporting families. Many of these individuals are still involved in serving families in some capacity and in a sense will be continuing the ministry of Xylem in their community in their own ways. It was an honor and privilege to be involved with so many wonderful people who had a desire to serve and support families.

When nonprofits are dissolved, their assets must be distributed to other nonprofits. All of the XFR assets are being distributed between Denver Community Church, Pomegranate Place, and Woman Come Forth, three organizations that have been amazing supporters of Xylem and have wonderful ministries that serve families in the Denver area.

I still very much believe in the mission of Xylem “to restore the sacredness of family” and that every family has the ability to experience God’s desire for them. I am not walking away from working with families and I would love to have you follow me on Facebook or on my blog www.parentingwhatipreach.blogspot.com or www.parentingwhatipreach.wordpress.com to see where life takes me next (I will still be writing!).

We know that Xylem has meant a lot to many of you. Please visit the Xylem Family Resource Facebook page in the next couple weeks and post any memories, photos, comments, etc. I know it would mean a lot to me and to others who have invested into Xylem Family Resource.

Finally, I would like to particularly thank the following individuals who have been instrumental in the success of Xylem through their leadership:

Former Governing Board Members:
Angela Seeling (cofounder) Jeff and Brenda Wright Vaun Swanson Karen Stickland Lori Mateer Geri Middleton Walsh Jenna Bauer Debra Dreyer Jen Phillips Erin Armand Tim and Nina Sloan Asa Wood Faith Donaldson

Former Advisory Board Members:
Kathy McMillian Tani Stone Mark LaFleur

Thank you so very much for all of your support.
Blessings to you and your family!

Tara Wood, on behalf of the board
Executive Director, Xylem Family Resource

A New Song (Soon to Be a Classic)

My kids and I can become a group of goof balls when left alone. It will start out innocently enough with singing Christmas carols at the top of our lungs and morph into seeing who can most creatively change the lyrics to one of the songs.


Today, we tackled "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". Here's the result:

Jesus the Son of God

You know Joseph and Mary and Melchior and Jaspar,

Gabriel, the innkeeper, Caesar Augustus, and Belthasar

But to you recall? The most famous baby of all?

Jesus the Son of God
He was born on Christmas Night
And if you wanted to see him
Just follow the star so bright

All of the other kings
Didn't want Jesus around
Poor little baby Jesus
Had to beat it out of town
(yes we know this part of the song is out of order. But it fit, and hey, we're just having fun!)

Then upon a midnight clear
The angels came to say (LA LA LA)
In the city of David
A savior's born this day!

Oh how the Shepards loved him
And they shouted out with glee (Yippee!)
Jesus the son of God
He was born for you and me!!!!!


We're not quiting any day jobs. But I think we at least get credit for getting the names of all three wise men in there. =)

Halloween Candy and How I Can Get Some

My favorite time at Halloween is about 20 minutes after my kids go to bed on Halloween Night. This is when I admittedly raid my kids' Trick-or-Treat bags to pull out my favorites to indulge in - Snickers Bars, Kit Kats, Peanut Butter Cups, and Sour Apple Blow Pops. And my kids know I do this.

I recently read a blog that suggested that you could teach your kids a lesson in tithing by requiring that they give you 10% of their spoils. I won't even go into all the theological problems I have with this. I don't think I need to make a spiritual lesson out of what they've gathered in order to get some of their candy. My kids are pretty good about sharing their candy with me to begin with.

Why?

I think it's so easy for my kids to want to ultimately share their candy with me because of how much I participate in the whole experience with them. From planning their costume, to taking them out trick-or-treating, to spreading out their candy with them at the end of the night to sort out their loot, to our debriefing of how the night went (who gave out the best candy, which was the scariest house, what fun costumes we saw)...we were in it together.

What a perfect parenting lesson. When we're "in it together", there is more cooperation, more sharing, more give and take, more FUN. When I tell them what to do "because I said so", when I have expectations for them that I don't expect for myself, when there is an atmosphere of "us" versus "the kids", there is resistance and frustration (on both sides).

The truth is, good parenting gets you "Snickers Bars", so-to-speak. When we take away our need to control, rule, and dominate our children and instead coach, teach, and participate in life with them, parenting our children is so much easier and sweeter.

And you don't have to fight to get your favorite candy out of the trick-or-treat bag.

By the way, what's YOUR favorite Halloween candy?