Well it has been another fast and furious summer.  It seems like just yesterday the kids were getting out of school for vacation.  Most will be returning in just a few days now and families across the nation will get back to their regular routines.  I hope that you and your family had a chance to do some fun things together over the past several months.  We take a breather as a ministry for that very reason; to spend some quality time with “momma and the kids”. 

I must say that I am really excited about this coming year for Father’s Impact!  We as a staff have felt strongly God was once again tugging us in a new direction.  We have felt led to take the number of events from 9 to 4 this year.  This allows for longer and bigger events, as well as allows more time between events for getting the word out and preparation.  We have taken the events that had the biggest “impact” if you will, and set those as our events for the year.  There will be a campout in October, Pine Car Derby in January and another big campout in April.  One of the biggest changes is the way we are kicking off the 09-10 year.  For the first time since this ministry was started in 2007, we are hosting a fathers only seminar titled Fitness for the Father.  This seminar will be held at New Beginnings Baptist Church in Longview, Texas on Saturday September 19th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.  Tickets for this event are available for $5.  Anyone interested can contact me at jason@fathersimpact.com for tickets or more information.  Catfish on Wheels will be catering the dinner of catfish and shrimp.  We will also have several door prizes to give out that you don’t want to miss.  So, what is the seminar about?  

One of the big trends among men around the country is being physically fit.  Working out at the gym, riding bikes, running, and swimming are some of the ways men are getting their bodies in shape and keeping them there.  The question is what are we doing to be in “better shape” as men, husbands, and dads?  The focus of the night will be on 3 important areas that we as men need to “work out” in order to be fit as fathers.  I hope you can join us for this important seminar and look forward to kicking off the year with a bang!      

I just wanted to open up my heart and let it be known how thankful I am for the Heritage Campout this past weekend. On top of being able to spend special time with my son, Austin, I also got to spend some special time with my dad. I love my father very much but we really don’t get many opportunities to spend more than an hour or so together at a time every once in a while. This campout gave me the opportunity to plan something with dad and Austin long ahead of time so that we could make it happen. Fishing and camping provided some of the most special and memorable moments with my dad growing up and how awesome it was to be able to do that with him again. The last 2 heritage campouts were the 2 times since I have lived back in Longview that Austin and I have got to spend with my dad for longer than just a few hours and all I can say is how thankful I am for those precious opportunities. You never know how much time we have left on this Earth and being able to spend time together in the outdoors fishing with 3 generations is priceless. I am so thankful to God for Father’s Impact and providing such an awesome and heartfelt experience.

We will be hosting our annual Heritage Campout on March 20th and 21st at the Rolling R Ranch in Gladewater, TX.  You can arrive anytime after 12:00 p.m. and stay as long as you would like on the 21st.  This is a great location.  There is a stocked pond we have been given permission to fish so bring your stuff.  We will have some extra equipment on hand if you need some.

Fathers Impact will provide dinner Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning.  All you need to bring is your camping equipment, chairs, fishing equipment, drinks and snacks.

We look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks.  As always please contact anyone on the staff if you have any additional questions.

Directions to the Rolling R Ranch:
Take Hwy. 80 to Gladewater.  Turn left at the Loop.  Follow the loop to Hwy. 271.  Take a left on Hwy. 271 and go 3.3 miles to CR 3110.  Turn left on CR 3110 and go 0.8 miles ant the gate is on your right.

Thank you so much for being a part of this great ministry that God is leading.

My dad has always told me that you can tell whether a person is generally an optimist or pessimist by asking a simple question.  Fill a glass with water exactly half way to the top and ask someone whether the glass is “half-empty” or “half-full”.  Most of the time an optimistic person will say the glass is half-full while the pessimist will say the glass is half-empty.  I have tested this theory a time or two and believe it or not it was right.  We all have people in our inner circles and families that we classify as negative or positive.

I am not the first, nor the last, to say that our country is going through some difficult times.  Television, newspapers, Internet, and co-workers let us know exactly how bad things are from the moment we wake up until our head hits the pillow at night.  All of us know or know of someone that has lost his/her job because of the economy.  We all know stories of  folks that have been investing their hard earned money for years in hopes of being able to retire comfortably, only to see their nest egg cut in half.  I could go on and on but you get the point.  We are in the midst of a storm.

One of you reading this post may be the person I have described above.  First, let me say I am sorry for what you and your family are going through.  Second, I have to ask:  Is YOUR glass half-empty or half-full?  Does your family still see you as the “rock” you have always been for them?  Do you continue to read God’s word and spend time in prayer?  Are you still trusting that God will provide for you and your family through these difficult times?  Are you showing your kids the blessings that God is sending even during the darkest of days?  Are you still spending quality time with your wife and playing ball in the yard with your kids?  If the answer to these questions is yes; then the glass you are looking at is half-full.  If the answer is no; it’s not too late to change.

I am excited to let you know about our second chapter of Father’s Impact.  This new group is based out of Corpus Christie, Texas.  Blair Foster (blairfoster72@charter.net) is heading this chapter up along with Mike Malone and James Barber.  I have had the privilege of spending a couple of weekends with these men and I must tell you that I am pumped to see how God is using them.  My dad, brother, and I took the first 7 hour drive down south from Longview to join James on an unbelievable duck hunt.  James was kind enough to make sure my  dad took some duck jewelry back home with us.  My second trip included staff members Brian Herman and Carl Owens.  We were honored to spend the weekend quail hunting with Blair and the rest of the guys for their first event.  What a way to start this new chapter!  Let me tell you, this team has some great events planned out for the rest of the year.  We will have a page on the site dedicated to the South Texas Chapter with a list of upcoming events, pictures, and other things coming shortly so stay tuned!  You can get in touch with Blair for the time being at the e-mail address given above. 

Gentlemen Start Your Engines.  We will be having our annual Box Car Derby Day at New Beginnings Baptist Church on December 13, 2008.  Check in and rules evaluation will begin at 8:30 a.m. and races will begin at 9:00 a.m. 

Car kits are being donated by Fathers Impact and will be available at the information desk on Sundays but you are welcome to build your own cars.

Prizes will be awarded for the top three cars.  Several heats with a series of head to head races will determine which Father/Son teams can be called CHAMPIONS.  For those that are less worried about speed and more concerned with the how well their cars look under the lights, prizes will be awarded for the most unique cars as well. 

Moms and wives are invited to come cheer you on.  This will offer a good time to be had by the entire family.  Also, if you have cars from when you were a child or previously ran cars bring them as we will have an unofficial race just for fun.

Box Car Derby Rules:
     — No cars previously ran at any other function.
     — Car length not to exceed 7 inches. 
     — Car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces (will be weighed at check-in)
     — No starting devices or mechanical help of any type allowed.
     — If the car is damaged in anyway, the team will have 5 minutes for repair.
     — Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!

For additional information contact:
     — Jason Withrow 903-736-0810 jason@fathersimpact.com
     — Carl Owens  903-353-5581 cowens@cscpails.com