Family Matters... We just finished our family summer vacation for 2007. Upon returning people would ask how it went and I would reply, "It was really good!" Then many would ask, "Do you feel rested?" And my reply was "I have a 6, 4 & 2 year old." We piled up 3,600 miles on our drive through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Restful was not exactly the term I would use to describe our time away. In fact I think it will be quite a few years before I will be able to add that adjective to my family experience. But there are many terms I could use, like fun, adventurous, bonding, playful. It was full of new experiences like camping for a week, new accomplishments like hiking four miles in Glacier National Park, swimming without floaties and learning to dive! Old friendships were rekindled, extended family was reunited and Moose Tunes were sung constantly by the kids and hummed unconsciously by Susie and I. Most importantly, once again, I was reminded that family matters. Having extended time away to focus on my wife and my kids has filled my mind now with a better understanding of where my kids are at in their development. I know better what they love to do and what brings them joy. I know what frustrates them and how they frustrate one another. I still am befuddled as to how to move into most of those areas and I definitely don't have a clue as to what half of Caleb's vocabulary actually means. But I do know that my kids need Susie and I in what seems like an overwhelming and impossible number of ways. I do know that how they are interacting with each other is developing how they are learning to interact with the rest of the world. And I do know that though my children are young there are some crucial things they must learn in how they treat Susie and I that have deep spiritual consequences. Family matters. It is where most of our developmental learning takes place. It is the institution that God has created to be our most important place of learning about relating to Him, others and world He created. The next four weeks we are going to take an in-depth look at the relationships at home between parent and child and between siblings. We are also going to take a look at what the church's role needs to be in understanding and helping what matters to single parents. We are all children. Most of us have siblings. Many of us are parents. Each message in this series will have something for everyone. Our hope is that you will find some wisdom and practical help in your familial relationships and that you will realize the greatest Helper of all cares, because family really matters to Him. David Nelson Lead Pastor