Advent Home’s last Family Forum of the year focused on emotional growth. Dr. Lin Robertson, AH Board member and Clinical Psychologist, spoke about family bonding, affirming one another and expressing positive feelings, especially between parents and children.

He passed out a list of affirming words and then went around the audience, asking families to practice with their sons by giving positive “I” messages. “When you’re open in counseling, sharing your feelings, I feel proud,” said one mother to her son. A student told his grandmother, “Grandma, when you come all the way from Washington State, I feel very comfortable, because it shows you actually care.”

Music flourished throughout the weekend. The AH Chorale performed Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” and encouraged everyone with, He will Carry You. “There’s no problem you have right now that God can’t handle,” said Ms. Sharon Johnson, Chorale Director.

A new AH singing group called HOPE was introduced and sang Down by the Riverside. Clifford, Fabian, Nnamudi and Justin chose the name HOPE as an acronym—Helping Others Prepare for Eternity. LaQuon, Moses, Benjamin, and Wade S. sang one of their Scripture memory verses, All Have Sinned and Come Short. Nnamudi, our student pianist, played his special arrangement of We Three Kings and The First Noel. And Jaron provided a holiday violin solo, Carol of the Bells.

Luke C. presented his life story and the change he went through after his arrival at AH in September 2010. “I was very negative and hated the program,” he said. “I didn’t like anybody, I was edgy and resistant. One of my issues is being passive-aggressive, holding things in, just letting things build, then coming to a head. I wanted to face my issues but [at the same time] did not want to.”

After several months, his turnaround came. “I was stepping up and working harder in the dorm. I worked well as a room member and was more efficient. I was more positive about AH and felt I could overcome my problems.” Now, Luke wants to catch up on all his school work and graduate. He hopes to attend Heritage Academy and eventually become a mission pilot. “Never give up on your kids!” he told the parents.

Practical Parent Training Seminars included Anatomy of Teen Car Accidents, Parents Fight Back, God Gives Us Desires and Impulses and What is Maturation Therapy?

During feedback sessions, several family members expressed great pleasure with their son’s progress. One grandmother admitted, “I really didn’t want my grandson here, but over the year, my mind has been changed. I thank the Lord for Advent Home.” A dad was reassured because his son had acknowledged weaknesses and showed more openness in communicating. “He has a stronger desire to deal with problems,” the father said.

Dr. Robertson advised parents how to guard against their son reverting back to his same problem behavior when he returns home: “Learn the ethics and structure of Advent Home and incorporate it in your home.”

We thank all who attended the Family Forum and wish you God’s blessings during the Holiday Season!

This mural, The Awakening, depicts a young man with outstretched arms, who embraces the spiritual light beaming from above. He is relaxed and open to this profound moment when he is touched by and welcomes the Holy Spirit. The colorful dawn sky marks a new beginning for him, a turning point that puts him on a better path in life, full of light instead of darkness.

 
In May, Advent Home Learning Center unveiled a beautiful color mural painted by nationally-known artist Emanuel Martinez, who was assisted by Advent Home students. Because Advent Home is a residential care facility and school for troubled teenage boys, 12-18 years old, with academic, emotional and behavior problems, it provides an ideal place for the use of art therapy.

The mission of Advent Home, to reverse ADHD behaviors with lifestyle changes that focus on mental, physical, emotional, social and spiritual growth, is in keeping with the young man in the mural, who experiences a “spiritual awakening.” With God’s help, through the Holy Spirit, he turns his life around and does better in school, at home, with his family, and in the church.

In his quiet, soft-spoken manner, Martinez thanked those who made this project possible, Louisa Jornayvas, Randy Minnick and Kathy Bustos. “Last but not least, I give special thanks to the young men who worked on the mural. More than 80% of this mural was painted by them. They all did a wonderful job and I enjoyed working with them,” he said. Students who helped with the mural were Fabian, Aaron, LaQuon, Chris, Kenton, Luke P. and Lance O.

Other program participants were Dr. Blondel E. Senior, Director, and Counselor Jana Marlow, who presided over the program and Board Chairman, Dr. Henry Farr. Martinez presented Advent Home with two signed copies of his book. To learn more about his art work, visit www.emanuelmartinez.com

Improving Parenting Skills. Great Seminars on  Practical Subjects. Now Available at our Gift Shop!

Both Audio & Video Training Resources

19 seminars on 10 DVDs

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Thank You for Supporting our Ministry!

Advent Home Learning Center is an ASI/OCI supported ministry that serves 12-18 year old, at-risk boys with ADHD, ODD, bipolar, mild autism, Tourette's syndrome, Asperger’s disorder, academic, emotional and behavior problems.

We provide residential care, individualized schooling, outdoor education, counseling, parent training and character development in a minimum distraction environment.