Thursday, October 27, 2011

Super-Sized SkyMom Gathering~Timmaron Southlake, Tx

Timmaron ~ Southlake

A special thanks to our hostesses:
Terrie, Melody, Stacey L., Shannon, Sarah and Stacey A.,
 who sponsored tables and invited their friends to enjoy food, fun, fellowship, and spiritual encouragement!
 Also a special thanks to Lisa Clark, Sky Ranch SkyMoms Parenting Mentor, 
who gave us an encouraging message on

 “If You're Not Praying for Your Kids...Who Is?”

Thank you Lisa for reminding us :

Prayer – what is it?
Communication with the Lord...
remembering to take all our cares and praises to Him.

How do I pray?
An easy way to remember is the ACTS prayer:
 Affirmation, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication 
Why Pray?  
Prayer is a privilege and an act of obedience to Him.  We can see the fruits of our prayers and it allows for family bonding.  Make it a special "family time", maybe on a Sunday evening were you share prayer and praises with one another.
When?  
All the time..."without ceasing".
“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, 
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11 
Terrie Chevaillier & Tori Miller


Then we had a Special Treat as our "Featured Prayer Encourager  SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier" was with us to share her personal testimony of how Prayer has impacted her life, her Prayer Boxes, and examples of answered prayers by praying scripture over our children.
I loved this example she shared: 

"I thought I would leave today by sharing a few answers to prayer in regards to praying God’s Word for my boys….and the three that I will share just happened to include Sky Ranch!

During my oldest son’s junior year he had made the choice to quit band and devote more time to other things including work and student council.   At the time, I don’t think he realized how making that choice would leave him without a regular group on the weekends…as most of his friends were in band at that time.  So on Friday nights and weekends when his friends were all together he often found himself without anything to do.  I prayed Proverbs 27:17  As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.  I just asked the Lord to bring other guys for him to hang out with that would not only provide someone to do something with, but also would sharpen him and be a good influence.  As always, God answers my prayers in ways that I could not imagine.  I am not exaggerating….almost that entire junior year, he would get calls weekly from guys he worked with at Sky Ranch or past camp counselors telling him that they were going to be in Dallas or around Southlake that next weekend and they would LOVE to hang out.  One of them was actually living in Fort Worth at the time and drove to Southlake every Thursday night to meet him at Starbucks and lead him in a bible study!!"

















Upcoming other Super-Sized Gatherings are:

Ridglea Country Club -Ft. Worth, Texas ~  November 9, 2011
Maggianos- Northpark for Park Cities/Highland Park, Texas ~  November 30, 2011
Prestonwood South Location-North Dallas Texas ~  January 19, 2012
Ricks Chophouse -McKinney, TX 
~  February 8, 2012
Maggianos- Northpark for Park Cities/Highland Park, Texas ~  February 29, 2012
Stonebriar Country Club- Frisco, Texas ~  April 19, 2012


Blessings,

Tori Miller
Sky Ranch SkyMom Ministry Director


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Teach Intentionally..."Family Time Prayer" with Stacy Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Time Prayer 


Families that pray together, stay together.  Prayer actually helps bond the family. It is hard for family members to stay upset with each other while going before God and praying for God to help each other. Prayer time can be very healing. Today I want to encourage you to begin family prayer for each other. Prayer is the time that is set aside for you to talk to God. It is the time to ask Him for His help in your life. You can pray as a group or individually. Teach your kids to pray by role modeling it in the beginning. Lead them for now. Later, they can lead you.
As you teach your kids to pray, you will see a growth in understanding prayer. Prayer like our relationship with Jesus is a process for us and we grow and develop in the process. When my kids were young and it was difficult for them to organize their thoughts, I would ask them who or what they would like to pray for. Then each child would begin and give me a list.  At first, the list consisted of prayers for others such as prayers for Grandma or Grandpa to feel better, prayer for a friend at school. But as time went on, the prayers became more personal such as prayers that God would help my child find the right school, prayers that a friend would be nice to them instead of mean. I also wrote the prayers down on a spiral pad that we used each week and I dated it. Later, I would go back and note the date that prayers were answered and to my kid’s amazement, they could see that the prayers actually were answered! We also eventually had the kids take turns praying out loud so they learned to make a list their prayers. We also learned group praying, where each person takes a turn praying out loud in the group. All of this developed in time. The important part is just to start learning to pray.
Prayer praises are as important as prayer requests. Encourage your family to praise God for all the good things and the answers to prayer too. It is natural to us and easy for us to focus on the negatives and the needs in life so much that we forget to see the positives and praises in life. Encourage your kids to see what is good and thank God for it too.
This week in your family time, I would encourage you to begin your family time by praying and asking God to be a part of your time together and to close your family time by going to God and praying for each other. Before you pray, go around the family and ask if anyone has something they want prayer for, and keep note of it in a spiral or notepad that you can use at each family time. The kids love to give ideas in lower school, but in middle  & high school, you have to often suggest ideas based on the information that you know such as a big test, a struggle with a friend, an important tryout coming up. And it helps your kids see that you and your husband have a list of things to ask God to help with such as projects at work or as a volunteer, personal health issues or areas that you personally struggle in and need help. You will be amazed at the connection that develops over time from praying for each other!
If you have questions, email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.
I will be praying for you! 
Stacy Davis


Click the link below for your free copy of the Sky Ranch “Open your Eyes” Family Devotional … https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/SkyRanch/EventRegistration.html
This week we are in the 2nd month and 4th week (or page 24) of the Sky Ranch Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…
Family Time 4: 

Month 2 Topic: God is forever and does not change…Calling out/God’s answer
Talk with God: Read…Psalm 4:1, Genesis 21:33, Zechariah 13:9

~ Psalm 4:1  (David is speaking) Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! Thou hast relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me  and  hear my prayer.
In Ps 4:1, what is David’s other name for a prayer?
~ Genesis 21:33  And [Abraham] planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.
In Gen 21:33, how did Abraham reach out to God?
~ Zechariah 13:9  They will call on My name,  and  I will  answer  them; I will say, “They are My people,”  and they will say, “The Lord is my God."
In Zech 13:9, does God say He will answer His people?

Walk with God: Discuss… The everlasting God promises that He hears and answers. Abraham called out to God. Isn’t calling out and praying the same?  Do you pray? God will answer His people. But make sure you are calling the right number! Pray to the God Whose Son is Jesus Christ. Pray to the Lord God of Heaven and call on the right name of the Everlasting God.  Be patient, God does not always answer us the way we want or in the timing we want. What evidence have you seen of prayer working and God having heard you?

Prayer suggestion… Pray for God to help you pray.
Family Time 4: 
Leader Answers:
A call
Called on the name of the Lord
Yes

Discussion ideas: God tells us in Scripture, “You do not have because you do not ask,” or “You ask with wrong motives” (James 4:2-3). Prayer is something that you get better at as you do it. Make a list to pray from if that helps you keep your focus. Notice other prayers in Scripture, for example, Matthew 6:9-13, which shows Jesus praying to His Father, asking for daily needs, protection from evil, God’s will, etc.

© 2011 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved

Monday, October 24, 2011

Ronda from~ The Family Table, brings us "Homemade Apple Sauce!"

Hello SkyMoms,
How are you all doing? It seems absolute ages since I have written a word or cooked anything worthy of writing about. I am in the thick of my first semester of nursing school and just loving it. I have so much admiration for all of you working moms both inside and outside the home! It is not an easy job to juggle it all but it is so worth the effort is it not? Now that I am gone for long stretches during the day, my crockpot is the workhorse while I am away. I wish I could say that my menu planning has been consistent, but the truth of it is that I am human and some weeks are better than others. I am sure you all can relate to that feeling. Here is a quick recipe that my dear friend Jennifer taught me. It can go in the crockpot to simmer away all day or you can put it on the stove while you are working around the house. Either way, the smell will float through your home and permeate the walls with cinnamon goodness. Apples are in abundance right now and if you have never made homemade apple sauce then you need to try it right away. It is nothing like store bought and it is very easy to make and throw together. Serve with a roasted pork roast or as a yummy little late night snack.

Homemade Apple Sauce
Apples, peeled, cored, and diced
Sugar
Cinnamon
Cinnamon sticks
Pinch of salt
Pinch of nutmeg if desired
Water to come about half way up apples 
Squeeze of lemon juice
Wash, peel, core and dice apples into small pieces.  Put in a stock pot with a little water and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add sugar to taste, I use about a cup to cup ½ for a big pot of apples, add a few T of cinnamon, and a few cinnamon sticks. Throw in a pinch of salt and nutmeg and simmer on low heat for several hours or cook in the crock pot all day. Stir and mash up while cooking. 
I’ll check back in with you SkyMoms sooner rather than later. 




Happy Cooking and many Blessings!
Ronda….The Family Table

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Isaiah 30:15




 For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,"In returning and rest you shall be saved;
   in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." 

Isaiah 30:15



Blessings,
Tori Miller
Sky Ranch SkyMom Ministry Director

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Ronda from~ The Family Table, brings us "Pecan Pies!"

Dear SkyMoms,

Oh, don't be fooled it is not Ronda...it is just me Tori...but I have snagged some photos from Ronda's Facebook page on some yummy cooking that she has sneaked in between studying and going to class...just in time for the cooler temps and look...she always includes her FAMILY in the cooking!
(good for you Ronda!)

Ronda has been blessed with going to nursing school to pursing her dream this semester!  She has been so busy studying, in class, and with being in the hospitals lately, but has the incredible support of an amazing husband and three helpful beautiful children. 

We look forward to hearing from you soon, and getting this recipe! BUT 
until then, I will just creep on your Facebook and stalk your photos and dream about the incredible smells your kitchen must always have!

SkyMoms love you and miss you,

Tori
Sky Ranch SkyMom Ministry Director




Sous chef Ashton, placing the pecans in the shells.



Chef Collin making the pies.


ready to go in the oven....


yummy...I am sure that daughter, Grace and husband, Omar were close by as the pies cooled and were ready to be eaten.
Ronda, I sure wish you lived closer and I would come over for one and a cup of coffee to catch up!
Praying for you!





Monday, October 17, 2011

Teach Intentionally..."Begin a Family Time" with Stacy Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Begin a Family Time


With the completion of this school year, I am about to enter a new phase in life…the empty nest. I have survived lower school, middle school and high school years with a son and a daughter and navigated through the drama for guys and girls. I discovered what worked and what did not work for guiding kids. But I don’t claim to have it all figured out.  However, if there is one thing that I could encourage you to do that will help you through this challenging time of raising kids; it is to teach God’s Word intentionally in your home regularly. Sharing your experiences and thoughts on your faith, while at the same time letting your kid’s faith be their own… it builds the relationships with each other and Jesus in a way that only happens within the family. And it encourages close family relationships and those relationships are the only thing to go into eternity with us.
As I encourage you to teach intentionally, I have a few simple suggestions to help this happen. First, set a time each week and get it on the main calendar and everyone else’s calendar including your husband. Find an evening that is consistently open each week and a time.  Protect that time and don’t schedule other things during it. Have the study material ready and handy. Give this time a name…like “Family Time” so that it becomes an activity you all refer to. Make sure that each person is given time to talk. It benefits kids if they get at least some time to talk uninterrupted each day. Conclude your family time by praying for each other. Finally, limit your family time and stop after about 20 minutes. The family will usually cooperate if they know it won’t go too long.
After you have scheduled family time, I would also suggest spending a little time thinking about what to teach and preparing.  Sky Ranch has designed a family devotional just to help families teach intentionally. The focus of this devotional for this year is to look at” Who God is”.  If you have a copy, I would suggest using that booklet in your home. If not, then I have included a passage from it below as a suggestion. You can also request a copy of this devotional to be mailed to your home by going to the Sky Ranch website at www.skyranch.org
Then, I would suggest a little personal preparation ahead of your family time…pray and ask for God’s help, then read the devotional passage first and honestly ask yourself …where am I personally with the questions asked? As parents, we are role models for our kids and it is okay to not have all the answers. But it is important to be honest with God, yourself and your kids. Also, your kids may ask you challenging questions that you do not have the answers to and it is okay to tell them that you don’t know, but will try to find out. Then, email the SkyMoms Ministry at SkyMoms@skyranch.org and we will respond with advice on how to handle those questions.
Finally, just give it a try… print the passage below and read through as a family one night after dinner. 
I will be praying for you! 
Stacy Davis

Family Time 3:
Month 2 Topic: God is forever and does not change…God’s views

Talk with God: Read…1 Samuel 15:29, Psalm 45:6, Revelation 4:10
~ 1 Samuel 15:29  And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change  His mind.
·         In 1 Sam15:29, will God lie?
~ Psalm 45:6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
·         In Ps 45:6, what is His scepter of?
~ Revelation 4:10   The twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him Who lives forever and ever.
·         In Rev 4:10, what are the 24 elders falling down before?
Walk with GodDiscuss… Scripture explains that God is a King and on a throne with a rod or scepter. He rules by uprightness or “what is right.” We also see a promise that God will not lie. Do people and God always match in their views of “what is right”? What if people oppose God? If God does not lie, then who is lying when views oppose each other? Can you think of ideas taught by our society today that oppose God’s Word?


Prayer suggestion… Pray for God to help you learn what is right.

Family Time 3:

Leader Answers:
·         No
·         Uprightness
·         God on His throne
·         Discussion ideas: We will hear things that contradict God’s Word. God tells us that ahead of time so don’t be surprised by it. The test is, who will you believe? God tells us who is lying; people are. Make sure you know what God says. What subjects do you want to know about? How much time do you spend in His Word finding out?


© 2011 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Prayer Encouragement: "Pure Hearts" by Guest SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier

Pure Hearts
Create in me a pure heart,
O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit
within me.  
Psalm 51:10

Pure hearts are created.  We are born with a sin nature, 
however, because of Jesus, it is possible for us
 to receive a new heart.
One that is pure and undefiled.
With all that our children are being bombarded with
in media and culture, I believe it is VERY important
that we pray this verse….so let’s pray God’s word
for our children today.
Heavenly Father, we praise you and thank You
for your son Jesus, who came to take away the
sins of the world.  And because of that, it
is possible for us to have hearts that are 
created pure.  You know every
impure thing that my child has to see or 
has stumbled across unknowingly and seen.
You know just how much of an influence that
media is having on them.  It gives me much
comfort to know that you know.
I pray that you would take away any ungodly
influence that is in their sphere of influence today, 
and where the world has threatened to muddy up their hearts, 
create in them a pure heart
by the power of your Word.
Where they have given in, your Word says
that you will renew their spirit to be 
steadfast.
Steadfast to say NO to the world and YES to You.
Amen.


~Terrie Chevaillier, Guest SkyMom Prayer Encourager

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Philippians 4:8



MDW Logo Header



The bond between a mother and daughter is precious and unique.  Raising young women to discover who they are in Christ and recognize their value in Him is not only important, but critical in today's cultural climate. 

Once again, the Sky Ranch Ministry Team and SkyMoms have designed a weekend retreat for moms and daughters to grow closer together, learn more about each other, and have a blast along the way.  The theme for this fall's Mother Daughter retreat is"Whatever" and focuses on Philippians 4:8..."Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable...think about these things!"  Although campers of all ages are welcome, typical ages for daughters are 6-13.

This highly popular annual retreat offers:
  • Relevant and experienced guest speakers
  • Fellowship with other moms and daughters
  • A relaxed atmosphere and pace
  • Great Sky Ranch activities, including the Blob, ziplines, crafts, and horses
  • Well-organized and intentional fun, Sky Ranch style!

Two options are available for this fall - October 21-23, or November 4-6, 2011.  Cost for the weekend is $155 per person, and includes two nights lodging, five meals, and most activities.  Click here to register TODAY, or call our Guest Services department at 903.266.3300 for more information or for assistance.  You can also visit our website atwww.skyranch.org for more information on our Family Ministry programs.


Blessings,
Tori Miller
Sky Ranch SkyMom Ministry Director

Tips from Tori..."sanity savers"!


Sanity Savers...

It all started this summer with a bible study titled 
"I wish someone would have told me..."! 
It was here a wise lady from our church spoke about purposeful, time saving, and value cooking. Not only for the sake of being a good steward with the monetary rewards the Lord has given us, but also to be wise with our time with our families around the dinner table. We NEED to be and should try to be more intentional about already being prepared with food in the freezer so we can be available to feed anyone at anytime...before a football/cheer game, or right after church and right before choir practice, when an unexpected guest arrives, or even if a friend goes into the hospital with an emergency and the family needs a meal!  
I must admit I have not taken this challenge on quickly....but, this week I did double my usual spaghetti recipe and was able to freeze the other 1/2!  WOW it feels soo good, knowing that I do have a homemade meal in the freezer waiting on us this week, that we can thaw it at any needed time!

My precious friend that I told you about also gave me this book, THIS week...

I cant wait to try more of these recipes!

ThEN, another friend and neighbor from Plano sent me a great link in her blog THIS weekend....hmmm, maybe someone is trying to tell me something about my cooking...hahaha!!

In all serious...we should be cooking (when we can) as MOMs and bringing our FAMILIES
 to the dinner table...it is here we can learn and :

~Quickly regroup and find out about each others day 
~Pray for each others needs
~Tell each other one good thing that happened in their day
~Discuss the plans for the next days routine
~Look through last years Christmas cards each night and pick out a family to pray for
~Play favorites game
~Begin fun games with cleaning dishes, or clearing table
~ENJOY the moments
and!
LAUGH!

oh, and if I made the food...just eat it..and don't complain!!!
Love you!
Tori


Blessings,
Tori Miller
Sky Ranch SkyMom Ministry Director