Psalms 19:14

Mom Cops

With some recent happenings with my middle school aged girls I was quickly reminded of this "Lisa Lesson-Parenting Tip" from our Sky Ranch website.  It was so good for me this week, I just had to post it to our SkyMom Blog!
~Tori Miller




Mom Cops

First, let me define Mom Cops – def. (noun) - Moms who think it is their sole job in this world to “police and report” all actions of their friends’ kids and their kids’ friends! Do you know any Mom Cops? More importantly, are you one?

A month or so ago, Brad and I and another couple went to the movies. The show we wanted to see was sold out, so we opted for another one…a comedy. We saw Paul Blart – Mall Cop. Brad would tell you he didn’t think it was a comedy at all. He thought it was a waste of his 20 bucks! I thought it was pretty cute. A mall cop on his segway trolling through the mall at .05 mph! Pretty funny!

It made me think of moms in mini-vans cruising through neighborhoods waiting for unsuspecting troublemaker preteens with issues. Look out! She’s out to get you! If you’ve ever had a conversation with a Mom Cop, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. I have had more than one “face-to-face” with one of these moms, and I don’t care to ever have another one. I remember one instance when a mom called me because she “heard” my daughter was planning on going to a movie with a group of kids, and she didn’t feel like the group or the movie was appropriate. Well, as is most often the case, she “heard” incorrect information. Then there was the time the mom let me know that our family portrait would have been “perfect, if my daughter’s shorts weren’t so short!” Thanks Mom! I needed that!

You see, most often, when Mom Cops deliver their reports, the news is biting and it stings. Then the relationship is awkward and many times fizzles. Proverbs has a lot to say about Mom Cops with agendas…

Proverbs 10:6-14 (The Message)

6 Blessings accrue on a good and honest life, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.
7 A good and honest life is a blessed memorial; a wicked life leaves a rotten stench. 8 A wise heart takes orders;
an empty head will come unglued. 9Honesty lives confident and carefree, but Shifty is sure to be exposed. 10 An evasive eye is a sign of trouble ahead, but an open, face-to-face meeting results in peace. 11 The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse. 12 Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering. 13 You'll find wisdom on the lips of a person of insight, but the shortsighted needs a slap in the face. 14 The wise accumulate knowledge—a true treasure; know-it-alls talk too much—a sheer waste.

Think about this when you feel like it’s your job to call a mom or dad about their child:
1) Is their child in a life threatening situation?
 2) Is their child in a life altering situation?

If the answer to either of those questions is “Yes”, then by all means make the call.
If the answer is “NO”, then:

1)Pray for wisdom – Don’t be a fool or short-sighted. Seek righteousness. Don’t let your tongue be a source of evil.

2)Make sure you don’t rush to judgment – Validate your story.

3)Consider your reasons for “reporting” – Is it to prove a point? To defend YOUR child? To get back at that family for a prior situation? Or just plain hatred and bitterness? Or could it be jealousy?

4)Consider your friendship with this person/family.

Then, do what God leads you to do.

~Lisa Clark

November SkyMom Gatherings

Remove

Sky Ranch SkyMoms

SkyMom Gathering ~ Kim Butler

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 7:00pm

Plano, Tx

Remove

Sky Ranch SkyMoms

SkyMom Gathering ~ Michelle Crow

Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 3:00pm

Flint, Tx

Remove

Sky Ranch SkyMoms

SkyMom Gathering ~ Melissa Almond

Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 6:00pm

Dallas, TX

Remove

Sky Ranch SkyMoms

SkyMom Gathering ~ Tammy Stillings

Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 7:00pm

Dallas TX

Remove

Sky Ranch SkyMoms

SkyMom Gathering ~ Nikki Pettis

Monday, November 15, 2010 at 10:00am

Prosper, Texas

Remove

Sky Ranch SkyMoms

Mother Daughter Nov 12-13, 2010

Friday, November 12, 2010 at 4:00pm

Sky Ranch

The Harvest is Plentiful

As Halloween approaches and before we know
The moon will be casting its golden glow.
The air will be crisp with much cooler days
The leaves full of color to brighten the way. 

The fields are all full and ready to glean,
Children laugh at the pumpkins they’ve seen!
Apples are ready to pick from the trees
Then cider will promptly be made from these. 

The Lord looks down on our fun Fall days
And watches about as we go on our way.
The harvest is ripe in the fields of the soul
Make sure “to glorify Him” is our goal! 

Witches and monsters we close our eyes to
But Lord, open our eyes to those who need You!
Send the workers far out in the fields
Glean from their work what You’d have them yield. 

Halloween time can be fun -- it’s a treat!
But do things that honor God on the streets.
Hand out tracts with your goodies this year
You never know what seeds will fall near! 

A seed that will sprout and soon grow to be
Lord, another ripe harvest for Thee!
Give us words and deeds on this night
That give others peace, not fear and fright.
©Lucy Cain 8/06

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Don't you just love the feel of the cooler temperatures, the sounds of Friday night football games, and watching the leaves beginning to turn colors?  Fall is my favorite season and it is not complete without the smell of pumpkin cooking somewhere close by...Enjoy one of my family's favorites...


Pumpkin Dump Cake


1 lg can pumpkin pie filling
1 can Eagle Brand milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 sticks butter
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped nuts


Mix pumpkin,eagle brand, eggs, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Pour into 9x13 buttered pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture. Pour 1 cup melted butter evenly over mixture top with nuts. Bake 350 for 45 minutes. Enjoy...mmmmmm, sure smells good!

Philippians 1:6

My Future is in His Hands

My Future is in His Hands

“But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, 

“You are my God!” My future is in your hands.” Psalm 31:14-15

I recently texted this verse to my daughters who were both in a somewhat stressful and unsure situation.  As a mom, we often feel the brunt of the stress our kids endure because we are there, in the midst of it.  They are short-tempered, needy, moody and unloving when they feel stress or overwhelmed.  And we get to suffer right along with them.

Instead of getting in their business and trying to fix the situation, it is always good to trust in God’s word to act as the healing agent that will smooth all rough edges and take away the pain.

His Word is alive.  Texting this scripture to my kids reminded me, too, that when we trust in Him and rely on God’s word to speak to us and minister, we can be stress-free.  He cares about the big things, the small things, and everything in between.  Nothing is outside of his caring and concern.  My future is in His hands.  And He’s got really big hands.

~Lisa Clark

Upcoming October SkyMom Gathering

SkyMom Gathering ~ Stephanie Ismond

Time	Thursday, October 21 · 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location	Plano, Tx
Created By	Sky Ranch SkyMoms
More Info	MESSAGE FROM HOST You are invited to attend a Sky Ranch Gathering at my house! We will have some quality girl time, yummy desserts and coffee and hear an encouraging message from Lisa Clark, Sky Ranch Parenting Mentor (and also my sister). The topic for the evening will be "Enough with the drama Mama!" This talk will deal with all the "drama" that mom's and their kids get involved in and how we should deal with it. We will discuss gossip, peer pressure, and other girl and boy issues. The Sky Ranch Team will share about the mission and ministry of Sky Ranch and talk briefly about all that Sky Ranch offers throughout the year. Please come whether your kids go to Sky Ranch or not. It will be a great time of fellowship that you won't want to miss!

October Mother Daughter Weekend Glimpse....

After attending four years in a row, I was looking forward to another great experience with my daughter, Julia at the Mother/Daughter weekend, but what we received was more than we both imagined.  Not only had we grown closer to each other, but we both felt the Lord’s  presence as we experienced answered prayers and saw first-hand how God had worked in our lives that week, and weekend.  We both left Sky Ranch committed to remembering Matthew 19:26; “with God, all things are possible”. 

 ~Cassandra and Julia 

P.S. ...oh and let me me also say that we had a blast was screaming and laughing our heads off on the torpedo boat!!!

Danae's Delicious Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe is from a precious lady in our Bible study this semester...all I can say is that the pan was wiped clean, not even a lick was left ....and everyone was begging for the recipe!! so here is it from directly Danae!  Enjoy! --------------------------------------------------------- Hey Ladies! I really enjoyed doing the bible study with you all.  Here's the recipe, as promised! I like to play around with the frosting, but this will give you an idea.  Let me know if you have any questions!   Dough: 3 C warm water 2 pkg. yeast 1 C sugar 10 C flour 1/2 C oil (I use vegetable) 2 beaten eggs 1 T salt   Mix water & yeast well in extra large mixing bowl.  Add sugar, salt, oil, and eggs.  Mix in & knead flour to make a soft dough (sticks to your hands!)  Cover & let rise to double.  Form into hot rolls or cinnamon rolls.  Let rise again.*  (Can rise in refrig. overnight if you mix the ingredients later in the evening)   For Cinnamon Rolls: Flour counter top- roll out dough in large oval shape.  Smear marg. generously :) over dough.  Sprinkle brown sugar over & then cinnamon over dough. Roll into a long snake, flouring the surface if it sticks... the tighter the roll the better!  Cut 1" circle.  Place in "Pamed" pan  Let rise.*  You can also add chopped nuts to the bottom of the pan before placing dough in there.    While dough is rising, you can make three different kinds of frosting. The first is my favorite and what I used today.. Beware its not healthy :)   #1 Frosting- Creamy 1/2 box of powered sugar 1 stick margarine 1 tsp vanilla 1 8 oz. cream cheese   This makes a bunch! I always refrig or freeze left overs and use on the next batch.  You can also add 1 cup of chopped pecans if you like!   #2 Frosting- Sorry don't have exact measurements, just do to taste Powdered Sugar (1/2 box) Vanilla Milk Can of Frosting    #3 Frosting- Extra sugary! 1 C brown sugar 1 t. cinnamon 3/4 C butter 2 T corn syrup   Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown at 350, be watchful they can burn quickly, but the middle is hard to cook through so I usually place smaller rolls in the center, otherwise the big ones won't back all the way through in the middle.   Hope you enjoy as much as we do!!!! :) Danae

Psalm 100:3

A glimpse of a Mother Daughter pair touched from Pinkapalooza....

Email received from Melissa... 

 Mother Daughter Weekend has forever impacted their lives!

Many wonderful things have and will come from this weekend and I am so thankful that the Lord led my family to Sky Ranch. The greatest thing so far is that my daughter is excited to do her devotionals and pray every day.   I have been doing them with her the last couple of days, but I hope that she can do them daily even if I am away for work and not there to help her.   I have always prayed with my daughter, but now our prayers can be more meaningful.  Today our devotional was about giving thanks for spiritural teachers.   At the end of our discussion, we prayed for all the teachers in our lives and then my daughter said,  "and we need to pray for everyone at Sky Ranch"!

I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in April, followed by surgery, and treatment.  By the grace of God, I am fine now, but the ordeal made me realize that although, I have had a lifelong relationship with the Lord, I was not sure what kind of relationship my daughter would have with Him when I was called to heaven.   When I was sick, my greatest fear was not death.  It was what would happen to those I left behind.   I realized that even though my family goes to church with me, we listen to Christian music, we pray, and try to lead a Godly life, that I have really never taught my family about having a relationship with the Lord.  Thank you for giving me the tools and instruction that will allow me to start the process.  My family will be better for it!
 
Melissa