Faith lessons are ALL AROUND US…if we're looking for them.

Really, God has made it so easy to experience Him, and learn more about Him, just by the way He has made us and the creation we live in!   I have a lot of fun when I take time to LOOK for faith analogies, and teaching points in the every day with my family.

If your kids are surfers, I think you'll find plenty.  Here's just a few that I have recently used:

**The waves are a great illustration of the Holy Spirit…who is powerful, gentle, and moving constantly, even though we cannot see or fully understand Him.  (John 3:8) 

**The current in the ocean can be strong, and if we are not aware of it, can pull us down stream to places we do not want to go.  Similarly, the world would like to pull us down, and if we are not alert, and purposefully following God's ways, we can end up more like the world than like the Lord.  (Romans 12:2)

** We've had some big rains here in Hawaii lately, and our beautiful blue ocean has turned an ugly brown.  The rivers that pour into it have polluted the fresh water with filth from garbage, pesticides, and all kinds of gunk.  Similarly, our own lives are made pure when we become a Christian, but can be "muddied up" if we let garbage in…The things we watch, the friends we spend time with, and what we involve ourselves in will affect the purity in our hearts.  It is important to protect ourselves from the gunk, and to come to the Lord often to be renewed by His cleansing. (Titus 3:5)

This is a fun exercise to do with your kids.  See how many analogies you can come up with, and let them try a few.  Then be sure to encourage them for trying!

With Aloha, Monica (www.thegrommom.com)

Come join us for our 2013 Surf camps, we look forward to seeing past campers and any new campers who attend this summer!!!  Walking On Water provides a unique opportunity to enjoy the awesome sport of surfing in a fun and fulfilling Christian environment. Our day and overnight camps are designed for beginner through advanced surfers, CO-ED, and ages 6-18.  Register today!  For more info and to register go to www.walkingonwater.com or by calling FCA at, 1-866-269-2267  If you are interested in becoming a camp counselor contact Kellie Ebersole at kellie@walkingonwater.com

Hi Mrs.Loy its Nick and I would like to say thank you--3 years ago you told my mom about walking on water surf camps and you got me into the camp. Before that I didn't think too much about surfing or god. Going to the camp with Noah was amazing I learned so much about the lord and I learned I loved surfing. Since the camp I have been surfing almost every day, I have been surfing for god. After I heard about you about a month ago it was really depressing to hear if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be where I am in surfing. Last Saturday I had a surf contest at La Jolla shores and I told my mom I would dedicate the contest for you. In my first heat with 30 seconds remaining I said please lord give me a wave a wave came perfectly to me and I won my heat. Then in the semi finals I said a prayer about how I know that you are stronger than anything I also came first in that heat. I made it all the way to the finals and I couldn't believe it! In the final I came 4th, 4th place out of 38 kids in the whole contest I was over the moon, it was my best result all year and if it wasn't for you I wouldn't of realized my love for surfing and God-- thank you for all you do - Nick Holdman

Please check out Kristen Loy’s blog  www.kirstenloy.com and it chronicles her cancer journey and her faith.

Some families on the North Shore of Oahu just started somethign really special for the local kids.
A few elementary aged boys were tired of missing out on all of the fun that the church youth groups offer Junior and Senior High School students, so these young boys decided to do something about it.  They planned their own youth group!

The Brileys--A family with three elementary-aged boys--planned and organized a new group which is meeting once a month to share FUN, FOOD, and Christ with their friends.  Since they're mostly all surfing and skating youngsters, they decided to call the group, "Groms for God," or "GG" for short.

The first meeting was held at the Briley's home, and over twenty elementary aged kids showed up.

After some time to run wild and eat pizza and cake, they gathered to watch the Walking On Water DVD!
Everyone LOVED it!

After the film, Natasha Briley organized a short discussion, and then wrapped up with prayer.

The kids were all stoked and can't wait for the next meeting!

We think it's a great idea to encourage even our younger kids to reach out, and share Christ with their friends!

Do you have youth meetings for kids in their elementary years?  We'd love to hear about what you do!

Aloha for now…
Monica, of www.thegrommom.com

 Beyond Sight Movie Update:    

The exciting journey of producing the Beyond Sight movie continues to be full of miraculous open doors!  Recently the producer of Hollywood hits like Blindside, Dolphin Tale, and The Book Of Eli (He is one of the top 15 movie producers of the world) met with Bryan Jennings to encourage him that the Beyond Sight movie has the potential to be a great story that the entire world will see and be inspired by.  Simon Swart who is the VP of Fox Home Entertainment also recently encouraged Bryan and the production team to work hard on Beyond Sight because, "It has the potential to be a best documentary Oscar nomination."  Bryan Jennings (Producer and Co-Director), Bruno Lemos (Co-Director), and Nathan Apffel (Producer and Editor) will be traveling to Derek Rabelo's hometown of Spirit De Santos, Brazil on April 29th - May 8th.  This will be the final filming trip for the Beyond Sight movie.  We are currently working hard on the editing, story, music, and distribution plans.  Our goal is to have a rough draft of the movie finished by June 1st.  We are hoping for the release date to be in October of 2013 but want to make sure we have enough time to promote this special movie nationwide and worldwide before it is released.  Our goal is to see this entire generation inspired by Derek's story much like Bethany Hamilton's story did.  Lets all continue to live by faith and NOT by sight.  www.beyondsightmovie.com