Back to school...

Yes, it's that time of year, thinking about back to school, knowing it's happening for my kids and many others in a week's time...

Yes, that yearly tradition to make sure our kids are educated and will hopefully become the nest doctor, lawyer, pastor, teacher, computer tech, trades person, etc. This time of year the kids have mixed reactions - they want to go back to school but it's to see friends, not necessarily for the work. Some are bored so they do want the work. Parents are anxious because they've had their kids for 2 months, and now are giving them back to school. Some parents are first timers sending their kids off to school. Some home school so not a huge transition except a change in routine. All involved have some level of anxiety.

How to cope? Take it to the Lord in prayer. I know sounds like a cliche, but remember what God said in Phillipians 4:6, 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

So yes, in times like this the best thing to do is to hit your knees and pray to God for wisdom for yourself and your kids, pray that God would protect them daily and that they would make wise choices. Pray that as a parent your fears would be alleviated, knowing your kids are in God's hands. Pray for the teachers and staff at your kids' school, that if they aren't a believer that they might become one, and that they would instruct in a way that honours God.

Some people see school as free baby sitting for parents. Not so. As one who has been an educator in the system, this is the furthest thing from the truth. It's all in how it is approached. It should be a partnership with the parents, how involved you are as a parent will show up in how your child does at school. As Christian parents we should never just hand the kids over and let life go on. Invest in the school. Be on the school council, write notes to your kids' teachers. And did I mention pray? 

Have a great school year, God bless! It starts Tuesday Sept 8th!

Tree Top Trekking lessons

Okay, today there was Steve Jones, Todd Gale, Tim Maassarany, Pip Lucas, Cody Marshall, Terry Molinaro, Maria Lopez, Tim Van Dyk, and myself doing Tree Top Trekking at Horseshoe Valley Resort. 

What was it like? See below...

Well it was fun, scary at times, exhausting, and challenging to every muscle in my body! It was a team building day for LIFE staff and there were fun times and times of "Shhh! Don't talk to me!" as we concentrated on the task at hand. We came back all tired and feeling the effects! 

How did I handle the physical effects? 

Yep, hot tub! Soothed my aches and pains! 

Now on a serious note this team building day is important because as Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. At LIFE we're a team, as Christians we need each other to get through the tough times of life and spur each other on.

Sometimes the road is tough, sometimes we're on a wire way up high all by ourselves and need a friend. A fellow believer can do this for us. Of course God is with us, but having the support of a Christian friend is always helpful too. We have a song that we play on LIFE called "We're In This Together" by Rapture Ruckus reminding us how we need each other. 

At the end sometimes we do need rest... like our hot tub, other times we need to completely withdraw and rest up like Jesus did, and pray.

A great reminder today from LIFE about the importance of each other, pushing ourselves to be better than we are, and trusting God to get us through!