2014 Summer Recap

 
What a great summer we had! In addition to our weekly poolside youth groups,we had two successful and very fun trips with the youth this summer. Ten students from our youth group spent a week serving in El Porvenir, Mexico alongside six adults and a group from Oak Tree Community Church. We ran a VBS and sports program, cooked and served free lunches to hundreds of people, did some minor updates to the church itself, hosted an open workshop for bike repairs, upgraded their computer lab (which is an outreach to the community), and built a roof extension off the side of the church building to provide more shade. I was so impressed with the students' work ethic, joy, energy, and fearlessness as they served that week. We never heard any complaining, and they all practiced their Spanish beautifully.

 

A few weeks later, 34 kids and five adults went off to Hume Lake for a week of insanity fun and discipleship. The theme this year was "Axe" (a play on words for the book of Acts). They focused on the verse Acts 20:24 - “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace,” and the main question was, "What are you living to make known?" Several students said it was the best week of their life, one student made a commitment to Jesus for the first time, and several students recommitted to serving God. You can check out pictures from the week here.

I encourage you to talk to your students about their experiences on these two trips. Especially being a few weeks removed from them, how are they putting into practice the things they have learned? What lasting changes were made?

 We're really excited for the fall season and everything we have planned, even if it will still be awhile before we can enjoy cozy sweaters, hot apple cider, and all things pumpkin-flavored!

Summer Newsletter

I love the summer time. I love BBQs and the smell of sunscreen and long daylight hours. When I was a teenager, I loved the freedom that summer brought: no studying! There was nothing weighing on me that I should be doing to be more productive. Now it feels like there is always something else I am worrying about. Somehow when I became an adult I worried more and exercised freedom less.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells his followers, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Just a few verses later he says, "...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:26-27, 33, emphasis mine). We are given the tools to let go of our worry like we could when we were teenagers on summer break. We are told to seek Jesus!

This is my focus this summer, to worry less and seek Jesus more. I want to be present in the moment, free from worrying about my to-do list, knowing that park dates with my son and ice cream dates with students are more important. I pray that you also take time to recognize these moments as they happen for you and surrender your worry. We may not all get a summer break in the traditional sense, but we can learn a little from our teenagers and adopt the worry-free attitude that it brings.

Blessings,

Alicia

Happy Spring!

Hello Families of Living Water!

Happy Spring! Though we haven't had much of a winter, I still get excited every year for the coming of spring. It signifies growth, new beginnings, and sunshine! I am especially excited for my new beginning working alongside Jessica to serve the youth of Living Water. I have a heart for the ministry and have been blessed to get to know quite a few kids on a deeper level through small groups this past year, and I look forward to strengthening those relationships and forming new ones.

I am most looking forward to our trip to Mexico in June. I lived in Mexico for three months in college and currently teach Spanish at the high school level, so I am excited to be serving with the families of Living Water and Oak Tree churches while doing something that I am so passionate about. Consider joining us for this life-changing experience! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Mexico (or anything else, really! I will do my best to help!). You can reach me at (916) 217-9181 or alicia@lwceg.com.

Peter writes a letter to "God's elect", those who are serving Christ throughout the world, and says in 1 Peter 4:10, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." I pray that in this spring, a new season of growth, you will use the gifts God has given you for his service, that you may grow in love.

Blessings,

Alicia Ashley

InstaHunt Highlight Video

Back to School Kick Off Video 2013

Merry Christmas!

Happy December! It is that magical time of Christmas music, egg nog, nativity sets and family gatherings. This Christmas is extra special for Nick and I as it is our first Christmas as parents. Growing up, my family had many Christmas traditions. I look forward both to continuing those traditions with Kacie as well as starting some new traditions of our own.

One tradition we are continuing this year, is getting a new Christmas movie each year and watching it as a family the weekend before Christmas. And a new tradition we are starting this year is going through an advent devotional as a family. I would love to continue this tradition as Kacie grows older as a way of remembering what this time of year is really about. If you would like to also go through an advent devotional as a family there are many free devotionals to choose from that you can download online. HERE is a link to the one that Nick and I are going to try this year. It is actually an Advent devotional that came out last year, but it comes highly recommended, especially for families with teenagers.

In all the hustle and bustle this season, I encourage you to take time for your family and to remember the real reason we celebrate this holiday season.

"For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6
 

In Him,

Jessica

November Thanks GIVING Opportunities

We have a lot of great opportunities to serve other in our community and around the world during the month of October! Below you will find more information about how to sign up and get involved with each of these opportunities. We are encouraging each Living Water family to get involved with at least TWO of these opportunities!   

  

                    

Youth and Families Service Day

Monday, November 11th 10:00am-2:00pm
Love INC Sacramento

8661 Morrison Creek Drive, Sacramento, 95828

            Click HERE to go the the Love Inc Website and then click on "COTW Sign Up" to register your family to serve with us on Monday, Novemebr 11th in the 10:00-2:00 time slot.

Elk Grove Turkey Trot

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Cosumnes Oaks High School 

8350 Lotz Parkway Elk Grove, CA

8:45AM ¼ Mile Dash Kids’ Fun Run [Ages 12 & under]

9:00AM 5/10K Run/Walk

100% of proceeds from the Courage Run will benefit Courage House, a home for girls rescued from sex-trafficking. 

Click  HERE to register your whole family!

Courage Worldwide Work Day

November 2nd 9:00am-4:00pm

Courage House, Rocklin, Ca  

BBQ Lunch Included Bring a Side Dish to Share

Sign Up on Clip Board at Church 

Or Call the Church Office (916)685-6161

Operation Christmas Child 

Gift Box Packing

November 20th 7:00pm-9:00pm

Living Water Youth Room  

We will need shoe boxes and small gifts and toiletries for children of all ages. If you cannot attend the packing event, please deliver items to Jessica beforehand.

If you have any questions about any of these events call us at (916)685-6161 or email jessica@lwceg.org