What keeps us up at night? 
Maybe…to name a few, a crying baby, waiting on a driving teenager to get home, our job, the to-do list, financial struggles, or worrying about how we’re doing as a parent.   

After reading a quote - shared with me today- from Henri Nouwen, I realized this…I’m staying up for the wrong reasons.  Henri points out that the central question we should be asking is if our future leaders will be men and women of God.  In the quote- at least the part I was given- said nothing about what leadership realm he was discussing, so this is what I took from it.

Are the future leaders of our families, churches, and communities going to be women and men of God?  Will they love and follow the Lord? Will they love His Word? Will they allow themselves to be conformed into the image of Christ? Will they be led by the Spirit? 

These questions should be the ones keeping us up at night, because those leaders are our children and our children’s friends.  To be men and women who love God, love people, and are led by the Spirit doesn’t happen overnight.  If it did, then we’d lose much less sleep thinking about it. 

I don’t want to lie awake at night and worry any more than the next person, but I do know this- these are the things worth pondering.  These are the things worth devoting more prayer to. These are the things that really matter.  Academically successful kids may lead to successful adults.  Athletically active kids may lead to healthier adults.  Spirit-filled kids… We don’t even have to wait until they are adults to see what they can do! 

So, the next time I’m lying awake because my mind is too active to sleep I will be asking the Lord this central question- “what am I doing or what can I be doing to help kids (mine and the ones in our ministry) - become boys and girls/men and women of God?”

This Week’s Announcements:
Please remember that the doors open at 8:45/10:45 for children, and are locked for security at 9:15/11:15.  If you arrive outside of that 30 minute window, several things happen. 
1. You may be locked out with no way in
2. You interrupt praise and worship/large group teaching that begins at 9:20/11:20 for our elementary children in 164
3. Your child will have a MUCH harder time adjusting to the room if they come in after activities have started
Please help us as we strive to make Sunday the best part of your child’s week by being on time for check in and drop off.

Red Top Camping Day:
What a fun day we had camping!  There was lots of canoeing, fishing, games, and food!  There was even MORE laughter!  The kids were filthy and exhausted at the end of the day…the sign of a great time!  Many thanks go out to Nick and Amber Chinuntdet for organizing and planning this amazing day.  We’d also like to thank all the volunteers who provided canoes, drove kids to the site, and/or were onsite to make this day such a huge success.

What God is Teaching Us:
Follow the link below to see this past Sunday’s curriculum: 
This link is no longer available

Funny Things Kids Do and Say:
For one girl named Hannah, the something that might keep her up at night…worrying if her brother is going to “goo” her.
As one small group leader asked the question- "Tell us a time recently when you wanted a do-over" – Hannah said that goo fell on her head at home.  The small group leader kept a serious face since Hannah seemed very serious. The small group leader probed a little further, but she really wasn't sure how to elaborate as to where the "goo" came from. Then Betsy- another girl in the group- randomly chimed in with the question that made everyone chuckle. She asked, "Do you have a brother?"  Hannah smiled and said "YES!!"  It suddenly all made sense.