Parents Take to the Streets Dancing! School Starts SOON!!

School is starting soon. Sorry to hit you kids with that truth-slap right across the face, but hey- it's gonna happen. And parents... for cryin' out loud stop your celebrating in front of the kids! At least make them THINK you're gonna miss them eating everything but their own underwear while they were home this summer.

We've made some lasting memories with your children this year at FBC. Vacation Bible School, Student Life Camp, Moosefeather Falls, Kid Connection, KingsKids, 5th Grade Retreat, and simply hangin' in the church halls has strengthened the bond that God is so careful to outline for us in His Word. Your kids our precious to us and without them the church (and your home) would be a whole lot cleaner, but man would we be bored.

I recently received an email that reminded me of some things to pray for in the coming weeks as school begins: Here are some things to pray for:

• Anxiety: It's never easy to try something new- new classrooms, new teachers, new locker combinations, new kids, new schedule, new bus number, new shoes, new routine, new haircut, new classroom, new expectations... Why don't we just send them to school with mini-defibrillators???? Gee. At our house, we use the verse from Joshua 1:9- "Do not fear; I am the Lord your God and will be there to help you wherever you go." It's good for what ails ya'.
• Sadness/Loss/Grief: Sounds hokey but it's true. Any change results in a loss in another area. In thier minds, our kids are losing a bit of freedom, time for friends, and maybe even the opportunity to see some of the friends that they've formed tighter bonds with over these summer months.
• Pressure: There are high expectations placed on our precious kids these days. They are expected to perform on standardized tests, complete homework, make the grade, dress the part, and find time for piano and karate lessons in between- Help your child prioritize by setting a good example with prayer time and reading God's Word. "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness..."
• Excitement!: It's not all bad! Pray for the excitement that your child may feel to carry them through this school year. Cultivate it and remember to be excited too. Sometimes it's hard with the balancing act that WE have to perform as parents but our own excitement about the things that our kids love will often boost them when they need it most.

We're praying for all the First Kids at FBC. Thank you for the opportunity of getting to know them this summer. Is there anything special we need to be in prayer for? Drop us an email or comment below.

FIFTH GRADE RETREAT!

Be in prayer for our soon to be sixth graders- They left yesterday morning for a two day retreat to prepare them for the transition into world of youth and jr. high. Sounds ominous, doesn't it? Nah, not really. :)

The group will return from Orlando Tuesday evening with a tired, tired, children's minister in tow. So pray for the group until they return! Then there will be many stories, and pictures posted- Check back then!