1. 2011 GEMS LEADERS’ CONFERENCE LOVE is INTENTIONAL !

2. Verbal compliments or Words of appreciation are powerful communicators of LOVE

3. If a child’s primary love language is words of affirmation, our negative, critical, demeaning words strike terror in their psyche.

5. Love is kind. The manner in which we speak is exceedingly important: “A soft answer turns away anger.”

6. Love doesn’t keep a score of wrongs. How many of us mess up a new day with yesterday?

7. The best thing we can do with failures of the past is to let them be history. We can choose to live today free from the failures of yesterday. Forgiveness is not a feeling – it is a commitment.

9. For some, love is quality time, which focuses on what we are Hearing and Doing -

11. Requiring us to: Listen sympathetically, and to Ask questions with a genuine desire to understand the person’s thoughts, feelings and desires.

13. We are far more efficient at thinking & speaking than listening. Listening tools: Maintain eye contact, Don’t listen and do something else at the same time, Observe body language, Refuse to interrupt.

14. As a child gets older and develops new interests, you must enter into those interests, if you want to meet their needs for quality time.

15. Be in touch with your own feelings. If you want to learn quality conversation, - begin by noting the emotions you feel away from home:

16. EVENT Tailgater Queue jumper Uncontrolled child Late person FEELINGS ?

17. Essential ingredients for quality activities: 1.At least some want to do it, 2.Others are willing, 3.All of you know why you are doing it – to express love by doing together.

18. Relationship Leader to leader Leader to girl Girl to girl Leader to parents Activity ?

20. Gifts are visual symbols of love and include - The gift of self or the gift of our presence.

21. Acts of service require: thought, planning, time, effort, and energy.

22. Jesus said: “serve one another in love” Requests give direction to love, but demands stop the flow of love. Love is a choice and cannot be coerced.

23. Wise parents in any culture are touching parents. Jesus called the little children to come to him. What are some appropriate ways of touching in our culture? A high five? Pat on the head? Hug in a crisis?

25. LOVE IS A CHOICE