AMDG+
Dear Parent;

Your question brings a smile to my face, for the children in the Devotional Stories series are, indeed, 'too good to be true,' although most of the stories are loosely based on actions and incidents that really did happen within our family.

However, there is a method to my madness; That is, the children and incidents in the stories were created to be just 'real' enough that the virtuous actions modeled in the stories would inspire young readers likewise to grow in virtue. Your dear seven-year-old's club and password very neatly demonstrates the point.

When our children were young, we noted, as all parents do, that their imaginary play closely modeled story lines from television, movies, or read-aloud stories. [A favorite memory is of listening to our children organizing an elaborate re-enactment of battle between Philistine and Jewish armies, following a similar reading in our morning devotions.] Since children first absorb into their souls and then imitate what they see and hear, how wise it is for parents to offer happy, holy examples for imitation.

The family life and children in the Devotional Stories series are fictitious, but yet similar to ours. Some of the Peterson children are an 'amalgam' of our children and several foster children; others are fairly true to character.

Our no-longer-children currently range in age from 24 to 37. The oldest, a Cornell graduate who spent several years in seminary, is now a professor at an orthodox Catholic academy and married to a dear daughter-in-law. Our oldest daughter is married to a wonderful husband, and homeschools. Our youngest graduated from an orthodox Catholic university and is engaged to be married to a fine Catholic gentleman. Our middle son and daughter are both developmentally challenged; they are glowing reminders of God's loving mercy, and that the least are the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Each of our children has, in one form or another, tested family rules and ultimately made our Holy Faith their own. As adults, they all embrace [according to their mental abilities] the teachings of the Church. In all truth and humility, it is not our doing, but rather their own responses to His merciful grace. Praised be Jesus Christ, both now and forever!

Thank you for sharing the story of your seven-year-old's club; such feedback makes my heart sing.

Dominus tecum,

Nancy Nicholson