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Carving Pumpkins has become a staple for the Higham house. Each year, about a week or so from Halloween, we gather the kids (at least the kids who are available) to carve our pumpkins. It's become a Fall tradition.
This year, Amy, Breya, myself, Breya's boyfriend, and Asher and Alaina all got together to carve pumpkins. It was a great night of pumpkins guts and seeds, laughter, and creating new memories. With each year we try to vlog the fun, so here is this years Pumpkin Carving vlog! watch past episodes
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Faith at Home
What does it look like to make faith a priority at home? Why is it important? What does faith look like in seasons of struggle? How do you pass faith down to your children? These are some of the questions we tackle in our newest episode of Gathered. Join us at the table as we discuss what it looks like to focus on faith in the home. It's episode 4 of, Gathered in the Higham House.
Listen to Episode 4You Can also listen on your
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The tradition goes back to our early years of our marriage. Amy and I packed our first boxes as newly weds. When the kids came a long, each kid packed a box. Every year we would shop, pack our boxes, pray over each one, and take them back to our church so they could join the hundreds of thousands of boxes that would soon travel around the world.
Each year we looked forward to packing our boxes. It was part of our holiday, the kick off to the Christmas season. Before we did anything Christmas, we packed our shoeboxes. It was the first thing we did as a family. To this day, packing our shoeboxes is the first thing we do.
Each year we looked forward to packing our boxes. It was part of our holiday, the kick off to the Christmas season. Before we did anything Christmas, we packed our shoeboxes. It was the first thing we did as a family. To this day, packing our shoeboxes is the first thing we do.
This year, we will again pack our boxes. Through the student ministry at our church, we will pack three boxes to start our holiday season. We'll make our way to the stores, shop for our items, pack our boxes, and send them out.
But, this year, we want to invite you to join with us and pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Take a moment and watch the video below.
But, this year, we want to invite you to join with us and pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Take a moment and watch the video below.
Packing a shoebox has never been easier. There is the option of packing a physical shoebox then dropping it off at a designated drop off location, or you can pack a digital shoebox at the OCC website.
Why is packing a shoebox so important? What this video.
Why is packing a shoebox so important? What this video.
The shoebox is more than just a couple of gifts. It's the gift of the Gospel. It's about Jesus, and sharing his love with the kids who need to hear that someone loves them. Each box has the possibility to change a life.
Would you join us an pack a shoebox?
We get nothing out of this. This is not a sponsored post. We have no direct affiliation with Samaritan's Purse or Operation Christmas Child. We're not posting this to gain followers. We simply believe that every child should have a chance to hear that someone loves them, and that that someone is Jesus.
Visit the Operation Christmas Child website. Learn how you can pack you box. And join the movement to bring the good news of Jesus to kids this Christmas.
Would you join us an pack a shoebox?
We get nothing out of this. This is not a sponsored post. We have no direct affiliation with Samaritan's Purse or Operation Christmas Child. We're not posting this to gain followers. We simply believe that every child should have a chance to hear that someone loves them, and that that someone is Jesus.
Visit the Operation Christmas Child website. Learn how you can pack you box. And join the movement to bring the good news of Jesus to kids this Christmas.
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Parenting in Real Life: The Wins
In episode three we talk about celebrating the parenting wins in family life. From defining a win to sharing some of our most memorable moments and family wins. Jay and Amy sit down and share stories from the Higham House. Pull a chair up to the table, and join us for Gathered in the Higham House.
In episode three we talk about celebrating the parenting wins in family life. From defining a win to sharing some of our most memorable moments and family wins. Jay and Amy sit down and share stories from the Higham House. Pull a chair up to the table, and join us for Gathered in the Higham House.
Listen to episode 3
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www.Facebook.com/lifeinthehighamhouse www.Instagram.com/lifeinthehighamhouse www.YouTube.com/@lifeinthehighamhouse Countdown to Christmas
The holidays are coming. Get ready for our annual Countdown to Christmas! Starting Monday, November 3rd, we will begin posting about the holidays as we prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
Family traditions. Holiday ideas. Resources. Family fun. Don't miss as we celebrate, Countdown to Christmas 2025! - jay & amy |
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As a youth pastor/church employee, I have attended my fair share of memorial service, funerals, and celebrations of life. These are always special events with family sharing memories and stories. There's laughter, tears, and sweet words of affection, appreciation, and loss.
I am often struck by how the fathers/grandfathers are remembered by the family members; particularly the by their kids. I listen as they recount the things that made their loved one so special. I usually find myself considering my own role of husband, father, and friend. I listen to learn. To ask questions. To evaluate. To be better. To do better. Here are a few things I've learned over the years.
I am often struck by how the fathers/grandfathers are remembered by the family members; particularly the by their kids. I listen as they recount the things that made their loved one so special. I usually find myself considering my own role of husband, father, and friend. I listen to learn. To ask questions. To evaluate. To be better. To do better. Here are a few things I've learned over the years.
Be Intentional
Every day we live is one less day to live. A morbid thought, but true. It always impressed me how these men lived intentional lives. With their families, with their friends, and with Jesus. That intentionality left a mark in those the loved. Living each day to take advantage of the time we have with those we care about reminds us to live intentionally.
As a husband, am I intentional with my wife; building her up, loving her well, and encouraging her to be all God has created her to be? As a father, am I intentional with my kids; encouraging their dreams and ambitions, pointing them towards Jesus, and loving them with grace, mercy and patience? As a friend and leader within the church and community, am I intentional in caring for others and leading them to the feet of Jesus? I want to take advantage of every moment I have with the ones I love and care about. |
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Say the Hard Words
I love you. I'm proud of you. I'm praying for you. What is Jesus teaching you? How can I help you? These are the hard words that need to be said and asked more. I want my kids and my wife to know they are loved, precious and valuable. I want them to know they are unique and special, images of the Creator, made with purpose for a purpose.
I don't want my family to assume that I love them, or that I am proud of them. I want them to know with certainty that they are loved. That only comes when it's said. And, that only happens when we say the hard words.
I don't want my family to assume that I love them, or that I am proud of them. I want them to know with certainty that they are loved. That only comes when it's said. And, that only happens when we say the hard words.
Be present
Being present isn't just being in the presences of our kids or our spouse, or even our friends. Being present means being aware, actively listening, paying attention, engaging, and letting them know that they are special and worth your time.
My wife, my kids, those I serve and work with, I want them to know that they are valued, that I care, and that they time and my time are worth being with them. I want to be present not just with. I want to engage, share, and be a part of their world, not just someone who says yes or no.
My wife, my kids, those I serve and work with, I want them to know that they are valued, that I care, and that they time and my time are worth being with them. I want to be present not just with. I want to engage, share, and be a part of their world, not just someone who says yes or no.
Have Fun
Have fun. There are two memorials that I remember for two exceptional men. As I listened to the stories of these men/fathers, I heard of trips, holidays, and moments of daily life, and I sensed that these men looked to create and have fun. I love this. And to be honest, it's probably something I need to work on. Over the last 10 years, we have tried to create more moments of family fun. And while I think we've been better at creating fun, having fun is something that we could always use more of!
Even as I type this blog post, my mind is in overdrive thinking how we can have more fun. And not just planned fun, but the spontaneous fun that happens at random. The fun that happens when you're not expecting it. The fun that leads to uncontrollable laughter and unforgettable memories. I want to look for more moments of fun.
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Laugh a Lot
There's nothing like laughter, especially when it's with the family. You know the laughter I'm talking about. The kind of laughter that makes you snort like a pig. Laughter that makes your insides hurt. Laughter that leaves you in tears. We laugh, but I think we need to laugh more. I want our time together as a family to create memories of us laughing. And not just the laughter from great dad jokes or hilarious pranks (although that kind of laughter is great). I hope for the laughter that comes from great story telling, laughter as we remember someone saying something funny.
As we look forward to the holidays, I am hoping for those moments as we sit around the dinner table, exchanging stories, watching as our kids laugh together. It's going to be great.
As we look forward to the holidays, I am hoping for those moments as we sit around the dinner table, exchanging stories, watching as our kids laugh together. It's going to be great.
Talk About Our Faith
Probably the most moving, and maybe the most challenging thought involves our faith. We are a family of faith. We have done our best to raise our kids knowing who Jesus is, and what it means to have a relationship with Him. Church. Sunday school. Kids Ministry. Student Ministry. Small groups. Summer camps, mission trips, and weekend retreats. From serving in the church to serving in the community. We have tried to expose our family to what it looks like to live with purpose; to love God and others, to use their talents to serve others, to share their faith, and to know it's not about them.
But faith also needs to be a conversation. And we need to have more conversations. Conversations to lead to heart-change, which leads to life-change, which leads to discipleship, which leads to a life living for Jesus. More conversations. More talk about faith. More opportunities to see Jesus in the lives of our kids.
But faith also needs to be a conversation. And we need to have more conversations. Conversations to lead to heart-change, which leads to life-change, which leads to discipleship, which leads to a life living for Jesus. More conversations. More talk about faith. More opportunities to see Jesus in the lives of our kids.
There are many lessons to learn in this life. But there's something about learning from the lives of others. And while I don't always have the opportunity to know these men, their legacies will live on in the lives of those they impacted. As for me, I'm going to do my best to take every opportunity to live out these life-changing lessons.
- jay
- jay
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Okay, parents, here's a question for you, Do YOU dress up for Halloween?
Our guess is that some of you do. But as we being think about our time of neighborhood trick-or-treating, we're wondering how many husbands and wives, mom's and dads get dressed up for Halloween?
Over the years we have worn our fair share of costumes, mostly for our student ministry or kids ministry costume parties or something similar. But we can't remember a time when we have ever dressed up for work or for trick-or-treating with the kids. But it seems that more and more parents are dressing in costumes for the festivities of the season. So we want to know.
Do you dress up for Halloween?
Our guess is that some of you do. But as we being think about our time of neighborhood trick-or-treating, we're wondering how many husbands and wives, mom's and dads get dressed up for Halloween?
Over the years we have worn our fair share of costumes, mostly for our student ministry or kids ministry costume parties or something similar. But we can't remember a time when we have ever dressed up for work or for trick-or-treating with the kids. But it seems that more and more parents are dressing in costumes for the festivities of the season. So we want to know.
Do you dress up for Halloween?
 | As we've said, over the years we've worn a costume or two for various student and kid ministry event, but dressing up for Halloween hasn't been a regular practice. In fact, over the years, we've wrestled with the topic of Halloween. One year, we skipped the whole trick-or-treating thing all together and went to a friends house to have dinner, watch a movie, and eat candy. However the next year, we were going door to door in our neighbor collecting candy. We think our kids were just as confused as we were. But as the years went on we decided to see Halloween as an opportunity to be in with our neighbors. We shared about that decision in this post, It's Almost Here...Again. What we are curious to know is, do you dress up for Halloween? |
| If you do dress up, why? Do you coordinate with your family/wife, or do you go rogue? Are you planning on dressing up this year? If so, who or what are you dressing up to be this year? Do you ever attend costume parties? We'd love to hear from you, so please comment below. And watch for more posts coming this month as we share some ideas on how to make the most of the Halloween season. - the higham family |  |
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It's finally here. After years of talking about it, praying about it, and waiting for just the right time, we are finally rolling out our brand new podcast, Gathered at the Higham House.
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It's been a long time coming. For about 4 years, we have talked about starting a podcast. We love the opportunity to build up, support, encourage and help families thrive. But a podcast? Really? What could we possibly say or do that might be helpful or encouraging to families?
That was the question we often wrestled with. Do we have anything to share that might encourage or help a family? What we've determined is, we have our story. We have what God has provided; his faithfulness, his goodness, and his grace. Over and over again, we have seen God's sovereign hand upon our family. That story is always a story worth sharing. And that is the story we want to share. We're not experts. We are a family who has tried to do our best to bring God glory through all that we do. And, if our story encourages or helps another family experience the grace that God gives, then let's go. |
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Gathered in the Higham House is a podcast for the family. It's where faith meets family and real life happens. This is our space to share stories, celebrate traditions, and talk about the ups and downs of family life. From holiday memories and parenting wins to lessons learned through laughter and faith, we’re inviting you to pull up a chair and join us at the table.
Listen to episode one
So where can you find, subscribe and follow the podcast? Great question.
For now, you can find the podcast in three locations. You will always be able to listen the podcast here on the website. You will be able to listen to each episode on our new podcast page. There will be an embedded player, like the one above, that will keep a library of each episode and season.
The podcast itself will hosted through Podbean. You can subscribe and follow directly from our Podbean page, Gather in the Higham House. You will be able to listen to each episode directly from our Podbean page.
You will also be able to listen on YouTube. Our channel, Life in the Higham House will host the audio and video version of each episode. (Notice: Our first couple episodes will be just audio. Don't worry, video is coming soon.)
Our goal is to share the podcast through major podcast platforms such as Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, and Spotify. Since you have to publish your first episode before distribution on these platforms, our hope to be connected by the release of episode four. Don't worry, we'll let you know as soon as everything is good to go.
In the meantime, may we suggest you visit our YouTube channel, Life in the Higham House, and subscribe so you will be notified when each episode goes live.
For now, you can find the podcast in three locations. You will always be able to listen the podcast here on the website. You will be able to listen to each episode on our new podcast page. There will be an embedded player, like the one above, that will keep a library of each episode and season.
The podcast itself will hosted through Podbean. You can subscribe and follow directly from our Podbean page, Gather in the Higham House. You will be able to listen to each episode directly from our Podbean page.
You will also be able to listen on YouTube. Our channel, Life in the Higham House will host the audio and video version of each episode. (Notice: Our first couple episodes will be just audio. Don't worry, video is coming soon.)
Our goal is to share the podcast through major podcast platforms such as Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, and Spotify. Since you have to publish your first episode before distribution on these platforms, our hope to be connected by the release of episode four. Don't worry, we'll let you know as soon as everything is good to go.
In the meantime, may we suggest you visit our YouTube channel, Life in the Higham House, and subscribe so you will be notified when each episode goes live.
Here's a bonus
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To help us celebrate the launch of Gathered in the Higham House, we have a bonus for you. Episode 2 is also dropping today! That's right, both episode 1 and episode 2 are going live today!
Episode 1 will be ready for you today, Thursday, October 16th, at 9:00 AM ET. Episode 2 goes live today at 10:00 AM. So be sure to listen and share both episodes to your family and friends. |
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We're super excited to share, Gathered in the Higham House with you. I pray that God will use it, our story, and all that we've learned, to encourage you and your family! So come on, grab your favorite warm beverage and your Bible, and pull your chair up to the table, it's time for Gathered!
- jay and amy
- jay and amy
Welcome to the Life in the Higham House , we are glad you are visiting. As a family of 7, we have had our fair share of adventures. We share our stories with the hope of passing along what we have learned, what we love, and what God is doing in our lives to encourage you and your family. But we love to hear from our readers, so please share your thought in the comment section of each post.
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