Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, August 13, 2023
Sending kids back to school can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Here are some words of wisdom to consider as you prepare for this important transition:
Maintain open and honest communication with your children. Encourage them to share their thoughts, concerns, and experiences about returning to school. Listen actively and provide reassurance.
Routines provide a sense of stability and predictability. Set up a daily schedule that includes time for schoolwork, extracurricular activities, meals, and sufficient sleep. Consistency helps children feel secure and confident.
Encourage your children to take responsibility for their learning and organization. Teach them how to manage their time, organize their materials, and solve problems independently.
As the school year progresses, be prepared to adapt your strategies based on your children's evolving needs. Flexibility is crucial in navigating any challenges that may arise.
Prioritize your children's health by providing nutritious meals and encouraging regular physical activity. Ensure they get adequate sleep to support their overall well-being and cognitive function.
Help your children develop social skills and build friendships. Encourage them to be kind, inclusive, and respectful to their peers.
Establish guidelines for screen time and online activities in today's digital age. Teach your children about responsible and safe technology use.
Recognize and celebrate your children's accomplishments, whether big or small. Positive reinforcement boosts their self-esteem and motivation to excel in their studies and activities.
Demonstrate a positive attitude toward learning, growth, and challenges. When your children see you embracing new experiences and seeking personal development, they're more likely to do the same.
Involve children in church. Your consistent commitment to regular worship as a family shapes their lives' trajectory, leading them toward a deeper understanding of God's love and purpose for them.
My prayer for you as a parent is that you will foster an environment where your child feels valued, nurtured, and empowered in their growth as followers of Jesus.
Jamey
Let's Talk About Truth - Part Two
(Together, What If is a conversation between Michelle Alexander, Ginnie Highsmith, and Jamey Prickett from Gainesville First UMC, Gainesville, Georgia)
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Weekly Prayer
Lord, Bless the classrooms and learning spaces with an atmosphere of respect, cooperation, and kindness. May the students support one another, and may the teachers guide and nurture them with patience and compassion.
Lord, we ask for your protection over every school campus. Surround the students and staff with your loving presence, shielding them from harm and leading them in righteousness. Let your light shine brightly during any challenges that may arise. Amen.
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes (Back to School Jokes)
Why does the teacher wear sunglasses to school? Because her students are so bright!
Why did the kid eat their homework? Because their teacher said it was a piece of cake!
Wisdom Nugget: Your best teacher is your last mistake. To learn from your mistakes, first, laugh at your mistakes.
A Question to Consider: What current habits are hindering your future progress? (James Clear)
Photo Taken By Me
Articles worth reading, videos worth watching, and/or podcasts worth listening to
Youtube: The Animal Doctor (Thanks to Nelson Carter for this inspiring video)
He Brought God and a Guitar to 245 Nations. Now He Serves Tea to the Suicidal.
Don’t Let the ‘Back-to-School Rush’ Diminish Your Humanity
Teens Don’t Really Understand That the World Can See What They Do Online, but I Do
A Hidden Currency of Incalculable Worth
Aristotle’s 10 Rules for a Good Life
My Mom Will Email Me After She Dies
United Methodist pastors feel worse and worry more than a decade ago
How Thomas Rhett And Lauren Akins Celebrate Game Day In A House Divided
Book I Am Reading This Week
Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA
Summary: "Life Undercover" is a gripping memoir written by Amaryllis Fox, offering a riveting firsthand account of her experiences as a young woman working as a CIA officer. The book takes readers on a journey through Fox's life, detailing her recruitment into the Agency, her intensive training, and her covert operations in the field. Through her vivid narrative, Fox delves into the challenges and moral dilemmas she faced while infiltrating dangerous environments and working to gather critical intelligence. The memoir provides an intimate glimpse into the world of espionage, shedding light on the sacrifices, personal struggles, and complex emotions that come with a life dedicated to national security and covert operations. It offers a unique perspective on the life of a spy, highlighting the tension between personal identity and the demands of a high-stakes career in the shadows.
What’s Cookin’?
Bourbon- And Cola-Glazed Steak Kebabs
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
From day one, Conscience International has been on the ground in Ukraine, establishing partnerships with local churches and assisting refugees fleeing the war. Dr. Jim Jennings founded Conscience International in 1991. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia.
‘Mercy and compassion are also there’: Gainesville’s Jim Jennings helps refugees at Ukrainian border
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Sunday, September 10 / 12 pm / Reception Hall
The Foster Care Ministry of Gainesville First United Methodist Church will host a lunch and learn event on Sunday, September 10, at noon in the Reception Hall.
If you are interested in learning how to be involved in a ministry that impacts children in Hall County, we invite you to join us. This is a free event. Email Misty Leach at mleach@gfumc.com to RSVP.
Why does foster care matter? Watch this video: Fostering Resilience
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deepest hunger meet.” – Frederich Buechner
I would love to have your feedback. Do you have a meme, dad joke, question to ponder, or wisdom nugget worth sharing? Have you come across an interesting article, podcast, or video that you found meaningful? Is there a quote or blessing that you are currently holding onto? If so, please share it. Let’s make this a community space where we connect with one another.
If you find encouragement in this newsletter, I would love for you to take the opportunity to share it with others. Thank you for reading.