Charleston GFI Family Newsletter

The “But Mom…Everyone is doing it” live teaching was a great success last night at Seacaost Church Summerville, SC. As Gary Ezzo promised, below you will find a link to the Family Core Values example that Gary and Anne Marie referred to during their presentation.  Enjoy!

Family Core Values FRAMED

Does that ‘refrain’ sound familiar? Even more frightening, does our response to our children sound just like the responses our parents gave to us when we tried that on them? So how will you respond to the ‘everyone is doing it’ or worse, ‘Her dad is an elder and she’s allowed to….’ – you fill in the blank.

Join us for an all new, one night teaching from Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo as they share how to prepare your children to handle the pressures of peers in and outside the church community.

When: Thursday, January 21st from 7-9:00pm
Where: Seacoast Summerville Campus
RSVP:hankandsherry@growingkids.org or 824-9424
Childcare is provided (please include children’s ages in your RSVP if you need childcare)

This free event is open to all. Please invite your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers!

Mark your calendars for this incredible opportunity!

Below is a slide show from the 2008 Growing Families International Family Camp. There are still a few slots open and we invite all Growing Families Alumni to join us at the 2nd Annual GFI SE Family Camp. The camp will be held October 9-12, 2009. Please email Don and Clarke for a registration information.

Who: You! This invitation is to any parent who has taken one of the GFI (Growing Families International) Parenting classes. (e.g. Preparation for Parenting, Growing Kids God’s Way, Reflections of Moral Innocence.…)

When: Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

Time: 7:00pm

Where: The Warehouse, Seacoast Church – 750 Longpoint Rd., Mt. Pleasant

What: We are honored to have Joey and Carla Link (of Moms Notes fame!) as our featured speakers. You do NOT want to miss this amazing opportunity to hear them live and in person. They are a blessing and an encouragement and FULL of God’s wisdom for the family. They will also have their Moms Notes (www.momsnotes.com) with them as well as plenty of other wonderful, Godly family resources for purchase.

Cost: Free!

Childcare: Sorry, there is no childcare available. Please secure your own sitters for the evening. It’s a date night.

RSVP: Please e-mail hankandsherry@growingkids.org letting us know you’ll be there. (***very important***)

The one night teaching on ‘Attitudes‘ by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo was a huge success. God brought just the right size crowd to fill the room that Faith Assembly of God so graciously provided for us. We did not get an official head count, but we estimate that there were approximately 125 in attendance last night. We hope you were as blessed by this as we were.

Follow Up Information

The Virtue and Vice (PDF) document was referenced by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo last night.  This document is a great resource to hang on your refrigerator as a reminder of what virtues to encourage in your children as replacements to those forgiven bad attitudes (vices).

Are you asking yourself today, “what is Monkey Talk?” You may have heard several references to this lesson last night. The official name for the Monkey Talk teaching is How to Raise a Responsible Child. Check with your local church parenting ministry to see if they have a copy of this video. You can purchase a copy How to Raise a Responsible Child on DVD or VHS by visiting the GFI online store.

GEMS^® – Godly Encouragement for Moms

Click for more information:
East Cooper GEMS^® – Meets in Mt. Pleasant/Daniel Island
North area GEMS^® – Meets in Goose Creek/Summerville

GEMS^® is a ministry of Christian Family Heritage.

As a parent of an elementary, middle or high schooler, do you sometimes find yourself at a loss in knowing how to deal with that ‘deep heavy sigh’, rolling the eyes, the “whatever” ‘Attitude’? Or even wondering why there is an ‘Attitude’ in the first place? Attitudes are probably the most common issue occurring in parenting during these ‘transition’ years. Come and find out the ‘root cause’ and learn practical suggestions on how to work on your child’s heart which will change your child’s attitude. This teaching is also helpful for those with children transitioning from preschool years to school age. Come learn how to prevent some these attitudes from becoming big monsters!

Moms and Dads should plan a date night for Monday, February 18, 2008 to attend this live teaching by the Ezzos. This one night teaching will begin at 7:00pm sharp and will conclude by 9:00pm.

UPDATE!

Location: Faith Assembly of God – Faith Kidz Room

Address:  337 Farmington Road, Summerville, SC  (MAP)

Please RSVP by sending and email to: hankandsherry@gficharleston.org

Saturday May 19, Smythe Park on Daniel Island

Picnic Set-up Begins at 5:00 p.m.

Picnic Judging begins at 6:00pm

Concert begins at 7:00 – fireworks following the concert

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra will perform a free outdoor concert in Smythe Park on Daniel Island.

A variety of prizes will be awarded for the most elaborate and creative picnic spreads. The grand Prize winner will receive a $500.00 donation to the charity of their choice.

The GFI Community picnic spread will highlight a Memorial Day/Patriotic theme where everyone is asked to bring pies, cookies, and have the guys dressed somewhat 1900’s and children too if possible. All who are coming are asked to bring something red/white/blue for the table.

Please RSVP to Lori Isaacs via email ASAP and no later than Monday May 14, 2007 if you plan to join the Charleston GFI Community at this event.  Lori’s email address is: lynnandlori@gficharleston.org

** Due to the large turnout expected for this event, walking biking or car pooling is suggested Parking will be available in the K-* school parking lot.

The GFI Charleston Spring 2007 Alumni Picnic was a load of fun. Families came together to share a picnic lunch while Gary Ezzo shared some words of wisdom for the parents and the children. After lunch, the kids played games and climbed the observation tower that stands about fifty feet above the marsh at Palmetto Island County Park in Mount Pleasant, SC.

Click on the link below to download a short video clip that scrolls through some of the pictures taken during the picnic.

Picnic Picture Video – Requires Microsoft Media Player

You’re invited to a GFI Alumni Picnic!

Saturday, April 21st

11:30-2:00

Sweet Gum Shelter

Palmetto Islands County Park**

Long Point Road, Mt. Pleasant

Bring your own picnic lunch and enjoy the community of like-minded families!

Call Lori Isaacs with questions 971-5133

**Admission to the park is $1/person or free with a Charleston County Parks pass.

“It’s All About Attitude“

Shape your child’s attitude by parenting from the Tree of Life.

This “Growing Kids God’s Way” Alumni Parenting Conference is coming to Brandon, FL on March 2-3, 2007. Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo will be joined by Joey and Carla Link in Brandon as they present both GFI Leadership Training as well as this valuable teaching on attitude. We hope to see you there.

You can download a copy of the brochure (PDF doc) or visit Mom’s Notes for more information.