Family Ministry

The Summer of...GROWTH!

At the end of April we talked about growth at theRock and theRoad. Remember that? I (Kyle) talked about making this a summer of growth. We looked in the Bible at John 15 where Jesus talks about growth happening in our lives. He talks about how we grow when we stay attached to the Vine, i.e. Him.

If you remember, we had a stubby weed looking plant that was in the middle of a large planter box. We used that plant to symbolize our growth for the summer.  After the talk, you wrote down an area in your life that you wanted to grow and stuck it as a label in the planter box (check out the picture above). As you labeled the area you wanted to grow, you committed to taking steps in that area this summer. Now with school being out, what’s this summer going to be for you? Is it going to be a summer of growth? Or, is it going to be a summer of stagnancy?

After just a few weeks the once stubby weed looking plant we had in the planter box at theRock and theRoad is now a blooming and growing plant getting taller and taller, growing more and more every single day (see the picture below). My encouragement to you is to make this a summer of growth, everyday growing a little more, so that by the end of summer you will have grown into something new and great, someone looking more and more like Jesus!

Rhythmic Changes...

Tis the season of open houses and graduation parties which means that it's the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. This time marks one of those rhythmic changes that all families experience. As a family, you go from school to summer, structure to freedom, 6th grade to 7th grade, 12th grade to well...graduated; and with all of the rhythmic changes this season offers we just don't ever seem to be fully ready for the looming transitions in our families. It's even mournful and somber to think that the family just won't be the same.

I read a fantastic article written by Reggie Joiner titled Parents in Transition. You've got to read it, but just in case you only have 2 min, here are the two take aways.

1. It's a complicated time: While your children are transitioning from being dependent to independent, you are transitioning as a parent from having authority to a place of leveraging your influence. You can’t parent them the same way you did and that is a complicated journey.

2. It's an urgent time: Time is running out. If they're not out of the house yet, they will be soon whether it's a few months or a few years. And as the time for them to move on, out and away gets closer and closer, everything (grades, friends, choices) seems more and more urgent and important. 

Simply knowing those two take aways opens us up to navigate these rhythmic changes well.

So, here's your homework; answer this question: What is ONE thing you can do this week to embrace this season's rhythmic change? OK...now do it!

This week at theRock & theRoad...

 

Water Fight!

Wednesday is our last night at theRock & theRoad before we jump into summer and we will be having a massive water fight at the Cedar Falls Campus! Water balloon war, dunk tank, and other water activities...it's going to be a blast! Come join us as as we celebrate the closing of another great year at theRock & theRoad.

Students will need to wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. Trunks or shorts, and a t-shirt or tank top will need to be worn at all times during our water activities. We do ask that all shirts and tank tops not be white. Girls can wear swim suits under their shorts and shirt if they desire to do so. Please bring a towel to dry off with as well.

See ya Wednesday for the Water Fight!

Thanks, if you have any questions please email students@prairielakeschurch.org

Put theRock Tour on your summer Calendar!

 theRock Tour, June 27-29, are three jam-packed days of fun in St. Louis MO! Students (currently 5^th-7^th grade) will visit Six Flags, the Arch, and do some ziplining at Meramec Caverns.  Not only will theRock Tour be a blast, but it will leave a lasting impact on the lives of your students as they serve together, build relationships and take next steps in their walk with Christ.  Experience theRock Tour 2012, you don’t want to miss this opportunity!

 Cost: $205 plus additional funds to pay for 4 meals.

All Registration will be online at prairielakeschurch.org

theRock Tour brochures and registration information will go home with students in the coming weeks, but for now, get these dates on your summer calendar!

Questions? Email students@prairielakeschurch.org

Info for the GIRLS lock-in...

6th - 8th Grade GIRLS =  Friday, February 17th. 

Please bring $5 to help pay for food, activities, etc. for the night.

We are going to have a blast at theRock Lock-in, and we would love to have your child join us!  Your child is welcome to invite friends along for the night as well.  We will have plenty of leaders to take care of the kiddos, and this will also be a great opportunity for us to continue building deeper relationships with these students! 

The lock-in will commence at approximately 7:00 P.M. Friday night, and end at 8:00 A.M. Saturday morning.  Please pick up your child by 8:00 A.M.

Thanks!

Info for the Boys Lock-in...

6th - 8th Grade BOYS =  Friday, February 3rd. 

Please bring $5 to help pay for food, activities, etc. for the night.

We are going to have a blast at theRock Lock-in, and we would love to have your child join us!  Your child is welcome to invite friends along for the night as well.  We will have plenty of leaders to take care of the kiddos, and this will also be a great opportunity for us to continue building deeper relationships with these students! 

The lock-in will commence at approximately 7:00 P.M. Friday night, and end at 8:00 A.M. Saturday morning.  Please pick up your child by 8:00 A.M.

Thanks!

theRock and theRoad Parent Meeting!

For parents of students who attend theRock and theRoad at the Cedar Falls Campus there will be a Parent Meeting on Tuesday, January 17 from 7-8pm at PLC Cedar Falls Campus rm 210.

Meeting Agenda...

• On Jan. 25—Feb. 8 theRock and theRoad will be teaching on the topics of sex, dating and relationships and you need to hear first hand what will be taught and why.
• Take questions from you on the ministry and upcoming teaching.
• Encourage, equip, and partner with you as parents.

Questions? Contact students@prairielakeschurch.org

Isn't it about time we had a Lock-in for theRock?

Yes, it is time for theRock lock-ins!  We are inviting theRock students to another crazy all-nighter at PLC in Cedar Falls.  There will be plenty of games, music, prizes, activities, food, drinks, no sleeping, and much more to make this night spectacular! 

6th - 8th Grade BOYS =  Friday, February 3rd. 

6th - 8th Grade GIRLS = Friday, February 17th. 

Please keep this night open for your students to come have a blast at theRock Lock-in!  We will have plenty of leaders to take care of your kiddos, and this will also be a great night for us to build deeper relationships with them as we jump into 2012! 

The night will commence at approximately 7:00 p.m. Friday night, and end at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning for both lock-ins. 

AS WE PLAN THE LOCK-INS WE WILL POST ANY IMPORTANT DETAILS NEEDED

Thanks!

BigStuf! Hurry and Register!

BigStuf 2012 is for current 8th graders through current 12th graders from July 8-14! Spots are filling up fast so Sign Up Today! For more information as well as online registration click here. Don't leave without checking out this BigStuf Promo Video!

 

Having trouble veiwing the video? Click here.

Parental Wisdom...

The other day I was talking with a mom of a high schooler and I just have to relay to you the wisdom she passed on to me. This mom has four kids, three of whom are out of the house and gone. That leaves her with the baby who is no longer a baby but a senior in high school getting ready to graduate and move on to college. As I spoke with her she was telling me how it took parenting the other three kids to finally get to a place where she semi knew how to relate with her teenage daughter in a loving not smothering, connecting not dictating, and guiding not micro-managing sort of way. She told of the joy that she received to be able to connect with her daughter by coming into her room late at night and getting to just listen to where her daughter is at physically, emotionally, socially, and most importantly and most encouragingly where she's at spiritually.

There's two things we need to take with us from this Parental Wisdom.

1. It's okay to learn as you go!

No parent is ever there! You will be a different sort of parent as your kids are 2 and 6 verses 12 and 16 verses 22 and 26. You will always be learning as you go and you will always be rubbing against new things, SO, learn as you go.

2. Listen, just plain LISTEN.

All of us have a tough time just plain listening, now pair that with listening to your kids! That can be tough! BUT, in talking with this mom she specifically mentioned how she had to continually check herself during bed time to make sure that she wasn't talking, interrupting, offering advice, providing suggestions, or any other form of verbal communication unless her daughter asked. So much of your parenting communication is spent talking at, telling to, asking of, or even commanding your kids. Why not try targeted intentional time with your kids where you just plain listen? Car time, bed time and meal time are great times to try out listening. This mom said that her relationship with her daughter immediately went to the next level when she just plain listened. Her daughter started to share more and even sought out advice, guidance and wisdom from her mom.

So, take these two things with you and try them out 1. Learn As You Go and 2. Just Plain Listen. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences trying these things out, so why don't you leave a comment through the blog.