How is it already 2012? Man, time sure does fly when you are having fun. And boy did we have fun in 2011. 2011 was a big year for Nick and I. I graduated from Seminary, we traveled with family, we moved to Elk Grove, joined Living Water, Nick started working at a new school, and we bought our first house! Whew, no wonder it flew by for us right?
In the midst of all of the unknown and changes in 2011, I learned more than anything how much I need to rely on God for everything. I was telling Nick the other day that even though most people are not a fan of the month of January, I think there is something really great about it. There is a sense of a fresh start, new possibilities, setting goals and working towards achieving them. However, there is also a sense of incredible uncertainty; so many unknowns are held in 2012. It is easy to get overwhelmed at the thought.
However, after a year of seeing God provide for us in so many big and small ways, I have no choice but to sit back and anticipate what God might have in store for us in 2012. I know it will not always be easy. I know we will face trials, fears, anxiety, and who knows what else, in the year ahead. But I trust that through it all, God is right there with us and that makes me more and more confident that no matter what happens, 2012 will be a mysterious, wonderful, stretching, challenging, and exciting new year.
Blessing to you and your family this new year,
Jessica
Below you will find information on the upcoming events for the month of January. For more information and updates on all youth ministry events, check out our blog which is updated weekly:The Current.
Jr. High Winter Retreat Friday-Sunday February 24th-26th Sierra Pines Camp, Lake Tahoe
We have had a great response to our Jr. High Winter Retreat and are really looking forward to this trip next month! There are still a few spots left, so if you haven't turned in your registration forms or your $50 deposit, get those in ASAP. Also, the second payment of $50 is due January 22nd at our first confirmation class of the new year. The total cost is $150, which includes nice quality facilities, great camp food, a speaker and full worship band, all in beautiful South Lake Tahoe! There will also be tubing and sledding available and other outdoor recreation and games, so be sure to pack your snow clothes!!
This is a great opportunity for our students to get to know each other a little better and to grow deeper in their faith by getting away and having the time to evaluate and be encouraged by great speakers and inspiring music! This is also a great opportunity for students to invite friends who normally may not go to church and by coming on the retreat will have the opportunity to have fun, make new friends and learn about Jesus all at the same time. So start thinking about and praying for anyone you think could benefit from joining us on this retreat. Everyone is welcome!
High School Mexico Missions Deposits Due AND
Short Parent/Student Meeting Sunday, January 15th, 12:30pm
If your student is planning on joining us for our trip to Ensenada, Mexico over Spring break with APU's Mexico Outreach organization, the time is here to get those deposits in. In order to secure our church spots by sending in our deposit and start planning for transportation and leaders, we need to have our final head count ASAP.
Thus, January 15th we will be holding a short 20 minute meeting to answer any last questions, to collect the deposits and fill you in on helpful information about what you will need to know leading up to the trip to help your student prepare for the trip.
If your student didn't turn in their application before the December 18th deadline, but is still interested in going on this trip, please contact me and we will do our best to make sure we can make them a part of the team. We have talked with a few of you and know you are working on finishing them up and will get them to us soon and we really appreciate it.
Jr. High Bowling Event Saturday, January 28th 1:00-4:00pm Country Club Lanes, Sacramento
To kick off the new semester of Confirmation, starting January 22nd, we thought it would be fun to take a group bowling! We have a limited number of spots for this trip because we bought a package deal, so please let us know ASAP if your student wants to join us for this event. The cost is $5 and includes all rentals, snacks and games.
If you are a parent and are willing to drive, please let me know. We will meet here at Living Water at 1:00 and carpool together, but we will definitely need at least one other driver, so let me know if you can join us!
Also, if you haven't already filled out a liability form for your student, we will need one for everyone who joins us on this trip. We have extras in the lobby or you can always print one off our website by clicking HERE.
Upcoming Important Dates
Wednesdays, December 21st, 28th, and January 4th
NO HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP! Sundays, January 15th
High School Mexico Missions Trip Deposit Due Sunday, January 22nd
Confirmation Spring Semester Begins Saturday, January 28th
Jr. High Bowling Event Sunday, February 5th
First Mexico Training Session Fri-Sun, February 24th-26th
Jr. High Retreat at Sierra Pines, Lake Tahoe Fri- Fri, March 31st-April 6th
High School Mexico Missions Trip Sunday, April 22nd
Confirmation Sunday Sun-Sat, July 15th-21st
High School HUME LAKE Summer Camp
For more information on any of these events or other upcoming activities please check out the calendar on our website which will also be updated regularly if anything changes.
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following link:
Unsubscribe
Living Water Church
9766 Waterman Road, Suite F
Elk Grove, Ca 95624
US
