[reallifenewsletter] FCC - YS Student E-mail Newsletter #183

Howdy all!

Ok I still haven't heard from everyone but here's what I've heard so far:

Potential Attendees:

Chris, Jen, Becky, Jon, Tessa, Chad, L'Heureuxs (And others from CA such as Justin etc)

Location:

People seem to be wanting to go to Bahamas

When:

Looking at dates of June26-April 3.  Let me know ASAP (by this weekend at the latest) if these dates are a problem.

If you are going, you MUST have a valid passport since this is out of the country.  If you don't have one, start the process moving since it takes a while.  You need to get an application at the Post Office or other federal building (or online) and get the pictures that are required then send the packet in.  In addition, minors (Chad and Jon) must have notorized permission slips with permission granted by BOTH parents with Nathanael, Emmy and Debby listed under permissions (I'll send samples later).

All for now...

-Nathanael

P.S.  If you've missed back email's you can view them online at http://fconline.blogspot.com

 

 YS STUDENT E-MAIL NEWSLETTER #183
May 2, 2005

Contents
1. Something for Your Heart
2. Surf Report
3. Forgettable Fact
4. Potent Quotables
5. Parting Shot

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http://www.youthspecialties.com/product/254086

Also available in your local Christian bookstore.

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1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

If your mom has a peculiar look on her face this week, don't worry too much. After all, Mother's Day is fast approaching and she's probably having trouble believing how quickly you've grown. It may seem like yesterday to her that she was rushed to the hospital to have you. (Or nervously entered the adoption agency to sign the papers to adopt you.) And now you're almost an adult. She may be wondering where that cute toddler went. Or that pert preschooler. She may be marveling at your astoundingly rapid transformation into the person you are today.

That look on her face means she's probably pondering. That's what moms do. They think. They mull over their fond memories, current feelings and deepest desires for you.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a ponderer. As her oldest boy grew, she did a lot of thinking about him. After a bunch of shepherds rushed to the manger explaining that angels had told them about the birth of Jesus, Mary “quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often” (Luke 2:19). Twelve years later when Jesus got separated from the family caravan returning from Jerusalem and was found in the temple debating the top religious teachers, again Mary “stored all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51). And who knows how much more pondering she did that we aren't told about?

What was the result of all that pondering? Well, it was Jesus' mom who prompted him to perform his first miracle. Apparently she had come to realize that he was capable of much more than an ordinary person (John 2:1-12).
http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=NLT&passage=John+2%3A1-12

And even during the last moments of Jesus' life on earth, his mom was there. Most of his followers had deserted him. Yet Mary was there at the cross, suffering along with her son (John 19:25-27).
http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=NLT&passage=John+19%3A25-27

A mother's love is something special. Clearly, you're no Jesus. (The word's out!) But your mom loves you every bit as much as Jesus' mom loved him. She worries about you because this world is a dangerous place. And regardless of the strength or shakiness of your current relationship with her, she wants what's best for you.

When you see her pondering this week, surprise her with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Let her know you appreciate all her efforts. Give her something new to treasure in her heart. Remember that she's not going to quit pondering about you just because Mother's Day comes and goes.

Your mom deserves the best of your love and consideration every day throughout the year. And if you find it difficult to let that thought sink into your head, maybe it's something YOU should ponder.

On your own ...

Consider an alternative to a store-bought Mother's Day card this year. Why not write a heartfelt letter to your mother--and to other strong female influences in your life (grandmothers, aunts, teachers)? Let the words flow from your heart and express the things you love about your mom that you rarely say out loud. If you have trouble putting your feelings into words, read Proverbs 31:10-31 and write your own paraphrase, substituting “mother” for “wife.”
http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=NLT&passage=Proverbs+31%3A10-31

2. SURF REPORT

~ One Person's Story
Sandtown's Jasmine Macklin explains how God used her involvement in a youth choir to change her heart for eternity.
http://passageway.org/go.asp?initial_page=32

~ Buy Joel Dessert
The guy likes his desserts. Who are we to deny him such simple pleasure?
http://www.buyjoeldessert.com

3. FORGETTABLE FACT

The stirrup, the tiniest bone in your body (it's in your ear), is smaller than an ant.

4. POTENT QUOTABLES

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.
- William Thackeray

Compassion for our parents is the true sign of maturity.
- Anais Nin

5. PARTING SHOT

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

© 2005 :: Youth Specialties