Sky Ranch Ute Trail: A Little Piece of Heaven

Hi everyone, my name is Reagan Lee. 

My family and I have been attending Sky Ranch Ute Trail since the summer of 2009, before I started Junior High. Eight years later, having graduated high school and started college, we still return summer after summer to our little piece of heaven.

One year my parents wanted to go on vacation, and my dad suggested we attend a Christian family camp outside of California. My mom had no clue what that was, but agreed to give it a try. After searching on the internet for a while, he found a camp located in a remote portion the beautiful San Juan Mountains in Colorado. After a long drive, we arrived in the general area of the camp, but much to our dismay, drove up and down a dirt road for several hours trying to find Ute Trail. At that time, Google maps would drop you off about thirteen miles away. But by the grace of God, we found the camp and checked in.

My family immediately felt at home. The staff was friendly, our cabin was cozy, and the surrounding land was absolutely breathtaking. Our family was greeted by family camp counselors, and we were assigned a counselor that was a part of our family for the week. Each and every one of our counselors in these past eight years has been a blessing. They’ve each brought a new perspective, new encouragement, and a new example of Christ’s love for us.

Many have asked why our family has returned year after year. What make this place so special? The fellowship, the safety, the beauty, and the fun are the answer. We enjoy the opportunity to be around like minded people who share the same beliefs and values, something we do not often experience at home. It’s a place where my brother and I could run free without being afraid of wandering too far off.

 Ute Trail is a beautiful place, free from the distractions of home and cell phones. It is a real forest, with real trees and flowers and fresh air, rather than the pollution we breath in our concrete jungle. There are stars rather than city lights, deer instead of cars.

In addition, this place is a ton of fun. The included activities: a ropes course, horseback riding, kayaking, and River Day, ensure that there is never an opportunity for boredom, and the counselors make every moment memorable and fun. I love this place with all my heart. I have built many memories here, had many laughs, shed many tears, but in the end it feels like home. My house may be in California, but my mind and my heart lie in Powderhorn, Colorado. Every year, my family counts down the days until we return home. 

One day, if it is in God’s plan for me, I hope to be a family camp counselor, so that I may serve others as I have been served during these crucial years of my life. This past year I developed a passion for photography and jumped at the opportunity to photograph my home away from home that holds such a special place in my heart. Inserted are a few of my favorite pictures of the week!

Thank you all for reading!

Reagan Lee

Awesome God - Heather Stoner

I had the sweetest thing happen the other day.

Here is the story...

The night that I stayed for Opening Show and Hunter drove out, her Tahoe was giving her problems. So she called me, and I told her to pull over at the gas station at I-20 and 110 and I would come and get her. I didn't want anything to take away from that night and knew we'd deal with the car after opening. After opening show, we went back to it and we limped it down the road a few miles. I KNEW it wasn't making it the 40 min. home.  I asked God for a safe place to pull it into and leave it for the night.  110 is a country road without a lot of businesses or places to pull it into. Finally I saw a little business with an empty parking lot and pulled it in... As I tried to back it into a space, the transmission went out and the car got stuck in the middle of the small parking lot...

The next day I contacted AAA early and met them out there. While I was waiting for the tow truck to come, one of the guys from the business came out to ask about the truck that was sitting diagonally in his parking lot...I told him the tow truck was on it's way and thanked him for his patience. We got to chatting and I asked them what they did since his shirt had the name FAITHCO on it and the T was a cross. He said they did contracting and electrical...just what I needed.

So, Chad came out to the house and we walked through all my projects. Then, he made arrangements for Chris, the electrician, to come out. When I told mom and Tina how I had found the company I mentioned the story of coming back from Sky and God leading me to their empty parking lot in the middle of no where. We finished up our business, he left, and we started dinner. Then Chris called me from his car on his way home.

This is the good part!!! He had just picked his son up from Quest and he had been praying about the 2012 commitment and how to give. He was wondering if I would be willing to write the check that I would be writing to him for the electrical work out to SKY RANCH INSTEAD as a donation.  After registering what he had just said I said "of course"!!! He said they have known Sky for years and it's leadership and he wanted to bless them...ME TOO!! What an amazing thing to sit down at the table and tell mom, Tina, and Hunter such a God thing out of a $3500 transmission job!

GOD used this to have me meet Chad, who sent over Chris, who happened to pray that morning for a way to bless Sky Ranch, who I happened to thank for being patient with our truck that broke down coming home from Sky a couple of weeks ago.

Well, ladies, I hope that encourages you that God loves the ministry!

Follow Sky Ranch SkyMoms on Facebook today!

Follow Sky Ranch SkyMoms on Facebook today!

Sky Ranch SkyMoms

• Ministers to moms 52 weeks a year

• Educates and encourages the character and heart

of moms

• Equips moms with parenting tools to teach and

disciple their children:

• Weekly encouraging blogs

• Gatherings led by Sky Ranch SkyMoms Parenting

Mentor Lisa Clark, with parenting tips and lively

discussion

• Sky Ranch family devotional

• A SkyMoms Retreat designed to get away from the

distractions of today and enjoy a spiritual renewing 

Extend the spirit of Sky Ranch camping discipleship through the year to nourish you to better face the daily challenges and opportunities of raising Godly kids! 

Blessings,

Tori Miller

Sky Ranch SkyMom Ministry Director

Getting to know your SkyMom Writer... Stacy A. Davis, Sky Ranch SkyMom Board member and writer of "Teach Intentionally"

Stacy A. Davis

Sky Ranch SkyMom Board member and writer of "Teach Intentionally"

Stacy first attended Sky Ranch Summer Camp at 6 years old and she has been a part of Sky Ranch for over 40 years. She has lived the Sky Ranch life map of moving from being a camper to serving campers to continuing the cycle by raising camper kids that serve.  A Dallas native, she and her husband Russell (married for 23 years) and her son, Taylor (20) and daughter, Sarah (18), who both attend Baylor University, have all been campers. Her children have both graduated from the Sky Ranch Sigma Leadership program and one currently serves as a counselor.  

Stacy has been a Sky Ranch Board Member for 10 years and currently serves at Sky Ranch by leading a committee that interacts with the Sky Ranch Staff on curriculum review and program development.  Her love for camping, the outdoors and horses led her family to purchase their East Texas ranch where they spend many relaxing hours bonding, having campfires and thanking God for His amazing creation. Stacy is a member of Prestonwood Baptist church and lives in Plano, Texas.

 Over 20 years ago, Stacy entered women’s ministry by serving in MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) ministry and eventually served as a mentor Mom for MOPs.  In the last 10 years, she has led courses and taught women God’s Word through Precept Inductive Bible Studies.  Stacy began writing family devotions for her own family and from that format developed the Sky Ranch Family Devotionals series of “Open Your Eyes” and “Follow the Leader.”  She also writes weekly for the Sky Ranch SkyMom blog and encourages Moms to intentionally teach their own family. “Teach intentionally” equips Moms by giving Biblical insight on devotional  topics, offering various ways to discuss the topics from useful examples based on Stacy or her kid’s personal experiences and sharing suggestions of specific family prayer ideas. Her hope is to encourage Moms to love their husbands and children and for them to teach the “good things” that build up their family (Titus 2:3-4). 

Getting to know your SkyMom Writer... Terrie Chevaillier, Sky Ranch SkyMom Writer of "Prayer Encouragement"

Terrie Chevaillier

Sky Ranch SkyMom writer of "Prayer Encouragement"

Terrie has been married to her husband, Charles, for 21 years.  She has three boys, and lives in Southlake, TX.  Her oldest son Forrest attends Texas A&M University in College Station, TX and her other two sons attend school in the Southlake Carroll ISD.    Terrie grew up in Arkansas and attended the University of Arkansas and Radiology School in Little Rock, AR where she went on to specialize in ultrasound.  She has worked full time, part time, and now on a limited basis as she enjoys being a mom and a wife.

Terrie has a heart for encouraging moms to pray scripture for their children.  She has seen much answered prayer in her family as she has prayed and believed in God’s Word to guide her as she parents her three boys.  Terrie feels called to share how the Lord has specifically answered prayers in her parenting and in her marriage.  Her desire is to help moms go to God‘s Word and prayer as they seek to be moms who choose trust over worry and fret for their children and their future.  She loves to help friends and others be disciplined in their prayer lives.  She designs personalized prayer boxes to help moms do just that.

Terrie has been sending her boys to Sky Ranch for the last fourteen years.  She and her family have many stories of God’s goodness and provision from the love her boys have been shown at Sky Ranch.   She attributes God using other Godly counselors to come alongside her oldest son to equip him and sharpen him as he became a Sky Ranch counselor in 2012.

She and her family attend Watermark Community Church in Dallas, TX where she and her husband serve in the marriage ministry and her boys enjoy small group community and youth ministries.  She loves to drive her boys to and from school and has experienced that time to be priceless and rewarding.   Aside from her love of being a wife and mom, she enjoys reading, early morning walks with neighborhood friends, designing prayer boxes, going to Sonic for a Diet Coke, attending BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) and investing in making her home a safe haven for her family.

Getting to know your SkyMom Writer...Ronda Ramadan, Sky Ranch SkyMom writer of "The Family Table"

Ronda Ramadan

Sky Ranch SkyMom gifted cook and blog writer of  the "The Family Table"!

She brings us amazing tips, recipes and so much more bringing the family back together around the table! 

Ronda Ramadan is a self taught cook who couldn't boil water when she first married. In a desire to feed her family delicious and healthy food, she devoured every cookbook and cooking magazine she could get her hands on. In her spare time, she took an occasional cooking class and over the years an absolute love of cooking developed. Ronda is a wife, mother of three and full time nursing student. She loves the Lord, her family, friends, cooking, Bikram yoga, travel, watching her kids play sports and spending time with her husband. 

Getting to know your SkyMom Writer...Tori Miller, Sky Ranch SkyMom Ministry Director

Tori Miller

Sky Ranch SkyMom Ministry Director 

(our family at Sky Ranch Family Camp- Ute Trail, Colorado)

I am  a wife, mother, and friend that has a passion for equipping and encouraging moms in all areas of their lives. The Lord has allowed me to face many different trials and celebrations and I love to use those to minister to other ladies, allowing them to know they are not alone as they walk this journey of motherhood. I am very involved in women's Bible studies, serve on church and community committees that allow me to minister to ladies in all walks of life.

The role as Sky Ranch SkyMoms Ministry Director allows me many incredible opportunities to serve alongside moms by organizing and leading events throughout the year and helping to continue the fifty-plus year tradition of serving youth and families at Sky Ranch Christian Camps. Meigs, my husband, and I have been married for 21 years and have two daughters, Kyndall (16) and Sterling (14).  Our family considers it a blessing for us all to be apart of Sky Ranch through SkyMoms, Parent Child weekends, Family Camp or Summer Camp.  We Love Sky Ranch!

Getting to know your SkyMom Writer...Lisa Clark, Sky Ranch SkyMom Parenting Mentor

Lisa Clark

Sky Ranch SkyMom Parenting Mentor

I joined the Sky Ranch Team in 2007 and have loved every second of it! It has been my pleasure serving the moms and families of campers and their friends. The SkyMoms team exists to encourage and "pump up!" moms in biblical parenting.  With each post, gathering and interaction we hope you feel loved on and encouraged.  You are the heartbeat of the home!

I am a native Texan and have grown up in the Dallas area.  Prestonwood Baptist Church (PBC) is my church home and I love teaching bible study there.  My husband Brad and I were married at PBC in 1986 and have two daughters, Caroline (23) and Camryn (18).

Never in my wildest dreams, could I have told you that God would be using me at this point in my life to minister to moms.  But He is and I am forever grateful. To God be the Glory!

Getting to know your SkyMom Writer...Linda Paulk, Sky Ranch President and CEO

Linda Paulk

Sky Ranch President and CEO

Linda accepted God's call to Sky Ranch in 2007.  Prior to serving at Sky Ranch, Linda was President and CEO of Snelling and Snelling, Inc., one of the nation's largest staffing firms. Her passion is to help children tap into God's greatness within them, equipping them with Spiritual Truth to grow into Godly character leaders. She is a recognized speaker and leader in Christian Camping and was awarded "Texas Women," honoring women who have blazed trails in their respective fields. Linda's zeal for helping others goes far beyond business, as she is active on many non-profit and for-profit boards that focus on strengthening families and promoting the well-being of children. She is also co-founder of Star Charities.  Linda's husband Bob is a Captain in the Naval Reserves and has recently served three tours of duty in the Middle East. Linda and Bob are blessed with two children, Ashleigh and Bobby. 

Prayer Encouragement: "Wives, Husbands, Children, Fathers!" by SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier

Wives, Husbands, Children, Fathers!

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 

Colossians 3: 18-21

Submit, love, obey, and don't provoke.....sounds like a recipe for a peace filled home. If we are moms that like household rules....let's just take these four as we enter  into summer and see what happens when the rules (biblical commands)....or as my bible titles it The Christian Home, are lived out among the household.   Charts and stars might not be needed.  Four verses, prayer, and God's Word sinking into the hearts of our home, might bring such a blessing this summer that we would make it a lifestyle.

Interesting that the first verse  was given to wives. As we have learned the past few weeks from Proverbs 31....we really do have a sacred influence.
So maybe if we could ask the Lord to help us understand and apply submission....then our husbands might have an easier go at loving us, which from the harmony of mom and dad might flow children  who obey IN ALL THINGS, causing fathers to not be tempted to provoke the children in their anger....thus having encouraged kiddos verses discouraged and cranky ones.
And who among us would not just LOVE THIS??

Possible....with God. So let's pray His Word..

Dear Father, thank You that  it really is possible to have a peace filled home this summer. My heart  longs  for it.  I  understand from our my own efforts to control it...that nothing much lasts for more than a few days or at most, the first week.

However, Your Word inspires me.  I know that submission is biblical. Where I do not understand it...teach me.  Where I willingly don't obey it....convict me.  And when I surrender it as unto You...bless me. Bless my home and all who live in it. Let obedience and order in the home start with my heart.

Where I am not honoring my husband or respecting the role of husband, help me to see where I might be tempting him to be bitter towards me.  I pray that he would have energy  left over to put into our marriage.  Ignite in him a passion for new love where his heart might be angry or bitter.

Your Word says that is pleases You, when my children obey in all things. I pray that I would desire that they please You, over pleasing me, or the world, or their peers. I pray that our marriage done Your way...would bring peace to their hearts and a safe place to receive truth and grace from us as parents. 

I pray for my husband to have kind words of truth spoken over harsh words when discipline needs to be given. Give him extra grace as he loves each one.
Where he has provoked or discouraged them, heal their hearts with Your perfect love and infuse his heart with Your love so it overflows and spills over to our entire family.

Amen
~Terrie Chevaillier

Teach Intentionally..."Family Time…Understanding God’s Kingship", with Stacy Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Time…Understanding God’s Kingship

Happy Mother’s Day! Of course, on Mother’s Day…of all days, you want our kids to show their appreciation and respect for you and what you do for them! As a Mom, it is our job to teach our kids to be respectful to others. Everything deserves some sort of respect just because God made it, and it must have some purpose. I have to admit, I do question the purpose of some things like mosquitoes…but with God there is always a purpose, even for mosquitoes. The challenge, as Mom, is to set the respect for God apart, and teach that He deserves the most respect. Scripture teaches that everything happens because of God’s will; and you were created by God and for God. You should desire His acceptance of you. He is the ultimate Leader that you are to follow. At Sky Ranch summer camp, kids were taught that God is the “Head Hauncho.” If you really understand who God is, you will want to please Him. Consider how you show respect to people. Are you polite to them? Do you listen to what they say? Do you support their ideas and have a good attitude toward the directions they give? Do you thank them when they are kind to you? Do you want them to think well of you so you are careful of your word and actions around them? It is the same with God, but you can even take your respect a step farther. God has given us the amazing gift of life. You exist because He willed for you to exist. You can thank Him and worship Him with song, praise, prayer and telling others about Him. Respect for others can be earned, but a respectful attitude is definitely taught. Your kids are watching you!

In the home that I grew up in, the kids were given the freedom to say what they thought. It taught independence, right! Well, almost…it can also teach disrespect. If the tongue is not bridled, it can be dangerous. Today parents want to raise kids who are self-advocates, so it is encouraged to take a stand for yourself. And nothing is wrong with that, in fact, it can be very good. However, parents also need to teach just as strongly the respect for authority. The independent tongue, if not handled correctly, can lead to an entitled kid who believes that everyone is to do as they command. It is important to teach kids how to be their own advocate and respect authority at the same time. Teach your kids that there are others in life that you are to behave respectfully towards and speak respectfully to. You will help them with their future teachers, bosses, and spouses, and even in their relationship with God.

This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by praying for your family and asking God to help you see if anyone struggles with disrespect towards God or others. Ask God to reveal the heart and attitudes within. Pray and ask for God’s direction on the best way to talk to them about the subject of respect. Encourage an honest conversation on respecting the invisible God who although He deserves our respect, it can be understandable that young kids find respecting Him a challenge. Over time, your consistent conversations can lead your kids to form a reverence toward God. Share with your family what helps you keep the perspective of God as your King. Also, encourage your kids to list one person that they need to show more respect to and list why they lack respect for that person. Then, pray with your kids and ask God to help you respect that person and God correctly.

Do you need help or prayer for your family time? Email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.

I will be praying for you! 

Stacy

Stacy A. Davis

Teach Intentionally

This week we are in the 9^th  Month Topic and 1^st   Family Time (or page  77) of the Sky Ranch Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…

Family Time 1:

Month 9 Topic: God is my King and my purpose…Understanding Kingship

Talk with God: Read…Matthew 6:10, Psalm 19:14, Ephesians 2:10

~ Matthew 6:10  Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

• Whose will did Jesus pray for in Matt 6:10?

~ Psalm 19:14  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

• Whose acceptance are we looking for in Psalm 19:14?

~ Ephesians 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

• In Eph 2:10, who are we and why were we created?

Walk with God: Discuss… Is it hard to recognize God as our King?  Why?  How should our lives be a reflection of Him as King?  Should the life we live (i.e., our works) be representative of Him?  How can we do this on a daily basis?

Prayer suggestion… Ask God to reveal His will to your family so that you can move forward with Him.

Family Time 1: 

Month 9 Topic:  God is my King and my purpose

Leader Answers:

• God’s will
• The Lord’s
• God’s workmanship; for good works
• Discussion ideas: It’s hard sometimes to recognize Him as King because we can’t physically see Him like we might see an earthly king.  Spending time with Him, worshipping Him and being obedient makes the relationship more real.

© 2011 Lisa Clark and Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

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

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day just around the corner, I thought I’d share a delicious Pecan Waffle recipe that is sure to make the occasion special. Collin and I made these this morning for the in-laws and they came together pretty quick. Served with a nice melon and a press pot of coffee, your special guest will feel showered with appreciation.

Pecan Waffles

adapted from Food Network Magazine

Serves 4

1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

1 3/4 cup flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 large egg

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 tsp vanilla

2 T unsalted butter, melted

1/4 non-hydrogenated shortening, melted

Pure maple syrup for topping

Pre-heat waffle iron. Place chopped pecans on a piece of foil and pop in the toaster oven on the toast setting. Toast for about 2 minutes, making sure they don’t burn. In a big bowl, whisk flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. In a measuring cup, add milks, egg, vanilla. Pour melted butter and shortening onto dry ingredients. Add additional wet ingredient and mix until just combined. The batter will be lumpy. Spray waffle iron with cooking spray and add batter. Top generously with pecans.  Cook until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining batter. Top waffles with butter and maple syrup. (These are thin waffles)

*A quick note about the shortening....There are few things that I make with shortening. When I do use it, I always use the non-hydrogenated kind from Whole Foods. I haven’t made these with all butter, however if you are opposed to the shortening, then I am sure all butter would work fine.

I wish all of you SkyMoms a wonderful Mother’s Day!!

Ronda from The Family Table

Prayer Encouragement: "Beauty Is….A Fear of the Lord" by SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier

Beauty Is….A Fear of the Lord

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
  Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31: 30-31

For the last few weeks, SkyMoms have been encouraged

to look at Proverbs chapter 31 as we go to God’s Word

in prayer to love our family and our communities well.

For me personally, a fear of the Lord means 

to fear what my life would be like

if I did not give careful consideration to 

living according to His Ways.

Fear of straying out of the confines of His best for me…and

into my self made best for myself….that phrase even sounds scary.

Charm can mislead, and beauty fades away,

but a mom who fears the Lord is living for eternal things

and that, my SkyMom  friends…..lasts forever.

It is a sure deposit. A deposit that on the other side of 

this temporary world that you will see.

I assume that the reason she would be honored is because

she has committed all that she does with her hands 

to the Lord.

And even better….guess what gets to bring her praise…

HER WORKS…as they will speak for themselves.

No need to boast, post, or promote.

And the works of her hands would include her children….oh how it is 

sometimes tempting to boast. 

Boasting in her own accomplishments or those of her children.

The Lord Almighty will see to it that others take notice of 

what she is doing because it’s  backed up and blessed by HIM!

Let’s Pray God’s Word:

Dear Father, 

Thank you for the reminder that a lot of the things we as moms strive for

is fleeting.  Help us to understand and know what it means

personally for us to fear the Lord.

If we as SkyMoms fear the Lord, I would only hope that we

would be examples in our homes and teach in a way 

that those living in and around us would come to know 

a healthy fear of the Lord as well.

Help us to see just how beautiful that is in Your sight.

After all, You are the object of our affection….not people first and you second.

Thank you that You honor us for all that we put our hands to as we

minister in our homes, schools, churches, and communities.

Save me from myself, please Lord.

From a temptation to boast and praise my self and my family’s 

accomplishments in and around my little city gate.

Work in me a beauty that radiates a life surrendered to

YOU.

Amen

~Terrie Chevaillier

Only 24 days away till the Sky Ranch gates open...what will you be packing your campers week into?

Sky Ranch Summer Camp is now ONLY 24 days away...have you signed up your camper yet?!  You need to start thinking about what you will be packing your campers week into!

While at our last Sky Ranch SkyMom Gathering in Wichita Falls I met Mindy...who personalizes trunks!  I love her company name.... Camp Couture Trunks, how fun...just what your child might want for his/her camp experience!  My girls have both always taken suitcases and they have worked very well over the years but I must say they think these camp trunks are very cool!

In the coming weeks we will be talking more specifically about what to pack into your suitcase, duffle bag or trunk for your camper to have everything they will need to make their week complete at 

Sky Ranch Summer Camp!!

Check her out at: 

www.campcouturetrunks.com 

and customers can place online orders at 

shop.campcouturetrunks.com

Tori Miller

SkyMoms Ministry Director

Teach Intentionally..."Family Time…Dealing with anxiety and worry", with Stacy Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Time…Dealing with anxiety and worry

Moms worry, don’t we? I think it just comes with the “Mom” job somehow. We get our kids ready for school or an event and drop them off…and worry. How is it going for them? Are they being accepted? Will I be able to hear joyful stories or will it be painful tears today? What type of counseling will I need to provide today? And the list goes on and on…and God knows our nature. He designed us. He placed us in charge of caring for the next generation and He knows we take it seriously. He also reminds us in scripture that He takes it seriously too. The focus in the family devotional this month is still on God’s guidance and care for you and this week looks at dealing with anxiety and worry. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus tells you that if you are weary and want rest to take His yoke, it is light and easy…He says to learn from Him, He is gentle and humble and you will find rest for your soul. It does sound nice! But how do you do this in a practical way? When you are upset and worrying, turn to Jesus and pray. Tell Him what is going on in your world that is causing the worry.  Ask and He will help you respond to your kids with wisdom and guidance.

During my son’s younger days, he was a worrier. Do you have one of these? He really caught a lot of negative details in conversations with other kids, and then would dwell on them, and worry about them. It created a lot of anxiety for him. As a Mom, it made me worry even more! So now, we were both worrying! I spent many extra hours with him talking through conversations or events as he processed them out loud, then we would make a list of the main problem or worries, and pray through the list.  Turning the problems over to God really did bring peace. We both knew that God was working on the concerns, and that God was allowing the situation to happen, and helping my son in the process. Trusting God eventually is what got him through the troubling situations, but sometimes it wasn’t easy.

This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by praying for your family and asking God to show you how each person handles anxiety or worry. Everyone worries at some point, but the important question is…how is it handled? Teach your family to handle anxiety and worry in a godly way by taking it to Him.  Encourage your family to use the family time to discuss what they worry about and how they handle it. Do they think they handle it right? Is there anything that they would change? Talk through negative ways to handle anxiety, what are they, and what is wrong with handling anxiety that way? Encourage your family to share the healthy ways they have handled anxiety and why they think it was successful?

Do you need help or prayer for your family time? Email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.

I will be praying for you! 

Stacy

Stacy A. Davis

Teach Intentionally

This week we are in the  8^th Month Topic and 5^th  Family Time (or page  73) of the Sky Ranch Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…

Family Time 5: 

Month 8 Topic: God is my Heavenly Father Who guides and cares for me…Dealing with anxiety/worry

Talk with God: Read…1 Pet 5:7  

~ 1 Pet 5:7  Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares  for you.

• In 1 Pet 5:7, God tells us to give Him our worries.  Why?

Walk with God: Discuss… Do you worry or have anxious feelings?  How do you typically handle your worry/anxiety for school, work, finances, friends, etc? What are we supposed to do in these situations?  Why are we to totally cast all anxiety on Him?

Prayer suggestion… Pray that you will cast all your worry and anxiety over everything to the Lord.

Family Time 5: 

Leader Answers:

• Because He cares for you
• Discussion ideas: Most people typically don’t think to turn to God first to deal with their anxiety or worry. Where do people typically turn? Other people, or they try to avoid thinking about it by using distractions: TV, shopping, eating, alcohol, etc. But God says cast these anxieties on Him.  How do you do that? Pray. Give it all to Him. Ask Him to help you. Then, after prayer, it is okay to seek wise counsel from people. God can send people to help us. Just ask Him about it first.

© 2011 Tori Miller and Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.