As the holidays come quickly upon us, I know that all of us will be extremely busy with shopping, cooking, family, shopping, cooking, family....(no that is not a typ-o) !

There is always a lot of good stuff to go to and be invloved in.  I recently was made aware of an event that the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation is hosting.  It is the Children's Literacy & Arts Festival at Newhall Park, on Saturday, November 4, 2007 from 10 AM - 4 PM.  I believe it is FREE, however they will have vendors selling food and other items.  For more information check out: www.scvcef.com

I also want to mention that I have received many emails from unlikely sources with reviews of movies that are about to be released in November and December.  While I know all of you can look up on various websites that ratings for movies from a Christian world view, I too will try to review some and get the word out.  The Golden Compass, Bella and the Ten Commandments are just a few that I will write some things about at the end of this week.

Oh, back to...so many choices.  In the midst of our busyness, please, please, please remember two things.  Our kids watch everything we say and do, how we react (oh, I mean respond) to the retailers, how we react (respond) to our family invitations and how much or how little we include the name of Jesus and God during this season!  Secondly, our children are simple, they don't get caught up in how much we do, or how much they get, they just want our TIME, and to be understood.  Hmmm, sounds like what God wants from us too!

By the way, I have not forgotten for finish the series on growing Mission Minded Kids.  Keep watching for the wrap up!

Without question all of our attention this week has been on our community.  The community we call our church and the community we live in called the Santa Clarita Valley!  If we personally have not been affected by the fires we certainly know of someone that has.

What an amazing opportunity for those of us who are Christ- followers to do what we are created to do!  Isaiah 58:12 states, "Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.  Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities." 

We are called by God to be the reparirer's of broken walls.  In a time like this we have peace to offer to those who are fearful and those who have lost hope.  Which reminds me of something else.

There have been recent sightings of adults and kids living in community!  Lets Celebrate them Together! 

Kathy Reid, Regin Forest Class Teacher, was recently seen at one of her students pirate birthday party! 

Janice White leads weekly in Breakout with a table full of 3rd grade girls!

 Some of our boys playing Volleyball on a Wednesday Evening in Breakout!

Karie Rose hang 'in with a group of 4 year olds in Kids Quest!

It just doesn't get any better than this, do you think?!  Let's show them this picture when they are 16!

Here are some thoughts of the "How To's" I know you all have been dying to read! 

Preparing the Soil: Include your kids in conversations about missionaries, and what it means to be mission minded.  Even preschoolers can be included in simple converstaions around the dinner table.  Play music in the car while you are driving that has scripture songs set to music, or tell stories of others who are thinking of others.

Plant seeds as a family: Consider as a family taking on a project in our community that would serve others.  Pick up trash, take out your neighbors trash, offer to hang Christmas Lights for an elderly neighbor, go on our very own "Fiesta Mexico Trip" in the Spring.  Remember things are "caught" not always "taught."

Water Tender Shoots: As a result of preparing the soil and planting seeds our kids will be willing and open minded to opportunities given to them as they enter upper elementary, JHS, High School and as Young Adults to participate on outreach adventures.  Perhaps it is serving at the Hunger Defense Fund bagging groceries, or handing out water at the Metro Link in the summer months, or going on a Champs Mexico Missions Trip or with UTURN or with Advance to Mexico, the list goes on. And for you as parents, you will not be aprehensive to let them go because of your experience together. 

Celebrate the Harvest: As we watch our kids hearts growing in compassion for the world God loves, reminds us the bearing of fruit has begun. When they announce at the completion of high school that they want to go on a long term missions trip our hearts will rejoice (after we swallow very hard!).

Next; Obstacles and Action Steps to being Mission Minded!

For those of you who have spent any amount of time around me, you know that I am passionate about WINNING KIDS FOR LIFE! 

That phrase in itself has many meanings and many methods in which we can accomplish the goal. 

One key component I believe to this is growing our kids to be mission minded.  Mission does not necessarily mean going to a far away land. One definition is; a special task given to a person or group to carry out.  This reminds me of the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19.  The great commission.  Jesus  commands us, assigns us this special task to go and make disciples of all nations.  And in Mark 16:15  Jesus agains tells us, Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.

How do we begin (if you have not yet started) to grow mission minded kids?

1. Prepare the soil

2. Plant seeds as a family

3. Water tender shoots

4. Celebrate the Harvest

On my next blog I will elaborate on each of these points!

I just returned home from spending a good part of this week camping at Refugio State Park just north of Santa Barbara.

The weather was spectacular and being able to go to sleep and wake up to the sound of waves crashing on the sand and the birds singing just doesn't get any better for rest and reflection this side of heaven.

Wild life and marine life and footprints in the sand all pointed to the amazing creativity of the God of the universe.  The One who made you and me! 

The uniqueness of each creature with their personalities and contribution to our environment was cause for many pondering moments throughout the week.  I've included a few pictures for each of you to enjoy!  Even though you may not have been there I hope in some small way that they will cause you to pause and be reminded the maker of the universe created you, knows the number of hairs on your head and loves you extravagently!