Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven of earth.

He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep.

The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

strength of character

I went camping with 40 13-year-olds last week for a school camp.
We were down south of Sydney in the beautiful Ulladalla
region. The students enjoyed sleeping in tents, ocean swimming,
roasting marshmallows around a bonfire, a night walk along the beach
and exploring the rocks.

The focus of the camp was the climb up Pigeon House Mountain
which is 720 m above sea level and rated as a difficult 4 hour climb.

We managed to coax all the students to the top,
even up the 13 sets of near vertical ladders at the peak.
The 360 degree view was breath taking.

What was interesting was observing the spirit with which each
child met the challenge. Some complained with every step.
Others loved the difficulty and strived to reach the top as quickly as they could.
Some plodded with quiet resignation.
One little girl really struggled with the walk but smiled all the day.

How would your child climb?

Focus and Fun

So why plan the year?

We are called to live sober (careful) lives and to one day give an account for each of our days.

Balancing our day, our week and our year, enables us to live a holy and disciplined life.

To best train, enjoy, and cherish our precious children requires thought, planning and prayer.

All that we do, including the rest times, fun times and mundane times, is part of this goal.

"Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. " Titus 1:8