The Journey Parent Podcast

Minimester Highlights Parents, I hope you’ll enjoy the testimonies of some of our PCA US students as they share about their minimester trips. The students you’ll hear from are Katelyn Teague (sophomore), Lowery DeVore (senior), Cole Rumsey (senior), and Tate O’Neal (sophomore). If you want to see and hear minimester testimonies and highlights from all the trips taken during that week, check out the two different links - first to the PCA Upper School chapel following minimester week where students share from their experiences with their classmates and/or the minimester highlight testimonies offered during the PCA faculty culture meeting: PCA Campus Ministry chapels Minimester highlights at PCA faculty culture meeting

Guest: Lorne C. Book, J.D. Estate planning - your “estate” includes anything that a person owns in their personal capacity. Estate planning is the process of leaving your family more than a mess (regardless of the size of your estate). Estate planning isn’t just for you - if your parents are alive, you need to find out if they have a will. Two categories of estate planning: Death - who is going to own your property after you pass? Disability - who is going to step in and make decisions for you if you are unable to? Power of Attorney (POA): Durable POA - for financial matters Medical POA - for medical decisions, coupled with authorization to release medical records under HIPAA Life Support Directive - your “end-of-life” care - make the decision before you are unable to make it, takes the pressure off your loved ones to make these decisions during a difficult time Important addition - to have these tough conversations with family members means that you need to address relational rifts and seek to repair those while you have time. When your kids turn 18, they are a legal adult and have the capacity to legally contract on their own - be mindful of those individuals and companies who would like to have access to your young adult. Now is the time to talk to your kids about planning early for the important decisions they’ll get to make. Lorne C. Book, J.D. Attorney and Counselor at Law BOOK LAW FIRM 4425 Plano Pkwy., Unit 103 Carrollton, Texas T: 214-305-6974 [email protected] www.booklawfirm.com

Guest: Dr. Connor Bales, Prestonwood Baptist Church, North Campus Pastor New book: Counted Worthy: A Father’s Perspective on the Theology of Suffering Connor shares their family’s intimate journey with two special needs daughters - Libby and Hannah. Both girls were diagnosed with the rare genetic disease called Trisomy 16p. “Everyone suffers, just not all of our suffering is the same.” Connor Bales Joni Eareckson Tada says in her book When God Weeps, “This is good news for the suffering soul. The Son of God did not exempt Himself from affliction but lived through it and learned from it.” Connor Bales: I counsel people who engage with those in suffering to usually say only three things: I’m so sorry - it is critically important that we acknowledge sadness and grief over whatever it is that they are suffering This is awful - every sufferer should be validated in their suffering with the acknowledgement that whatever they are facing and enduring is bad for them I love you - the unconditional Gospel-reminder that we love and support one another in the midst of suffering is Christ’s work in and through us Other great resources: Stephanie Hubach - Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability D.A. Caron and Kathleen Nielson - Resurrection Life in a World of Suffering Joni Eareckson Tada - When God Weeps Randy Alcorn - If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil

Guest: Austin Gentry 10 Things Every Christian Should Know For College: A Student’s Guide on Doubt, Community, & Identity Best advice: make sure as a parent you’re having meaningful and purposeful conversations with your students about areas where the world will challenge them - SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity), sex, alcohol, the goodness of God, suffering, death, etc…and you need to begin these conversations probably at a younger age than you might think! Another resource that might be helpful - Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College by Michael Kruger Great point from Austin - parents, you’ve already demonstrated that you’re committed to the spiritual success of your students - let’s keep that going! Those critical conversations need to happen not only before your students head off to college, but while they are on a college campus…and beyond. If you’re looking for a great podcast for your college-aged or older students, check out LifeTalk, the PCA Alumni podcast hosted by PCA Alumni Director Megan Rogers and PCA Worldview Director Dan Panetti

Guests: PCA history teacher Cindy deLeon, PCA senior Sydney Brown, PCA alumni Dennis Phillips Cindy deLeon (PCA history teacher): Black History Month - goes back to 1915 with Carter Woodson 1926 the second week of February set aside for recognition of black contributions to American history because of the connection to the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln 1976 President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month Black History Month actually enriches American history - it doesn’t minimize the contributions of others, but allows everyone to see themselves in the contributions of history Dr. Mildred Johnson Sydney Brown (PCA senior): Black History Month used to be just another month to learn history, but recently I’ve realized the importance of representation Dennis Phillips (PCA alumni): Black History Month was always important to me, but my perspective has changed in the past couple years - I’ve learned how important black history is, especially to American history. Would love to see a time when black history doesn’t have to be separated from the rest of American history.

Guest: Matt Shaheen Excited to have my Texas State Representative Matt Shaheen share about all things related to the MARCH 1st PRIMARY ELECTION! Early voting has already begun and will be open from Feb. 14-25 - so make sure you get out and vote. Remember, the Primary Election is the opportunity to select your preferred candidate from within your particular political party - so this is not Democrats vs. Republicans, but you’re voting for your preferred candidate in one party and the winner of the Primary Election will face off against the candidate from the other political party in the November Election. Also, don’t forget that many of these contested elections will have RUN-OFFS - and there is an even smaller voter turnout for these elections - so don’t sleep on the process - get out and vote and then pay attention to the results and see if the candidates that you wanted are going to be in a run-off election later in April or May. Finally, there has been some redistricting from the Texas State Legislature that went into effect in January - so you need to check before you go vote to see who is representing you! Check out this Who Represents Me site made available from the Texas Capitol. Also, visit the county elections site for your particular county to find out about voting locations and even to download a sample ballot for the primary election: Collin County residents Denton County residents Dallas County residents As always, we are grateful to live in a free country where we have an opportunity and responsibility to be part of the governing process - elections are important, so be an informed and active citizen and vote! One consideration I use for selecting quality candidates is the advice that Jethro gave to Moses in Exodus 18:20 where he suggested that Moses select leaders who 1) are capable, 2) fear God, 3) are trustworthy, and 4) hate dishonest gain. In other words, look for men and women of character who are able to actually do the job that you are selecting them to do!

Guest: Dr. Jim Denison Check out Dr. Denison’s latest book: The Coming Tsunami: Why Christians Are Labeled Intolerant, Irreverant, Oppressive, and Dangerous - and How We Can Turn the Tide Parents, these are some incredible resources that you ought to check out - from a daily email update on how to see the issues of the day through the lens of God’s Word to several incredible podcasts specifically for Christian parents - check out all that Denison Ministries offers. Denison Ministries: The Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective. Cultural apologist Dr. Jim Denison offers news discerned differently through The Daily Article, his daily email newsletter and podcast, and through books, interviews, articles, and more at DenisonForum.org First15 is a daily devotional that seeks to provide believers of all backgrounds with a unique experience with God in the first 15 minutes of their day. First15 is designed to help readers have an encounter with God that leads them to a sincere search to love God and others. Christian Parenting was created to give parents the practical and spiritual help they need, on as many platforms and in as many ways as possible. Check out the Christian Parenting podcast called Pardon the Mess with host Cynthia Yanof along with several other outstanding podcasts for parents on their Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Foundations with Janet Denison was created to help anyone learn how to study the Bible and apply God’s unchanging truth to their daily lives.

Guest: Tasha Calvert, Prestonwood’s Women’s Minister Find out more about the Prestonwood Women’s Ministry by visiting the Prestonwood website or the women’s ministry Facebook pages for the Plano and North campuses. Love the new “motto” for the women’s ministry: Bible study is not a class you take; it’s a rhythm you keep as a believer. Also, make sure you stay tuned for the new podcast coming soon.

Guest: Stephanie Yates Stephanie taught at PCA Plano as a writing coordinator and 7th grade English teacher, then moved to 5th grade and taught before returning to teaching at PCA North Campus. Stephanie was diagnosed as “anorexic, exercise bulimic” - which is an eating/identity disorder. Her parents divorced when she was young and always identified as a “pleaser.” A boyfriend made a comment about her weight. When things seem difficult, there are times that a person wants to “control” something in their life and controlling what they eat is one default and many young people select. What’s the difference between being thin, healthy, or anorexic? Looks for signs that things are not “healthy” - wearing baggy clothes to “hide” a person’s real appearance, not eating enough to maintain a growing, healthy lifestyle (consider what they’re involved with), working out constantly, eating by themselves, going to the bathroom immediately after eating, an obsession with body image, etc… Note that an eating disorder isn’t just something that young women struggle with, many boys and young men struggle with this issue as well. How do you get help? Here are a few places that Stephanie recommends for help in either understanding more about eating disorders or to actually get assistance with a loved one: Eating Recovery Center - Plano Girls to Women Health and Wellness The Center for Pediatric Eating Disorders (Children’s Hospital, Plano) Recommendations by Stephanie are not to be considered endorsements that these institutions address issues from a biblical perspective. Prayerfully proceed with getting the needed attention and help that your child needs, but also remember to address the spiritual components that exist as well.

Guests: Kim McIntyre and Jon Lineberger Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award Banquet Sunday, April 24th at The Star in Frisco - doors open at 5:30 pm, dinner and program at 6:00 pm Ford Center at the Star, 9 Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX 75034 Attire for the evening: Western chic (boots, jeans, cowboy hat, and a lot of bling!) Award recipient: Dr. James and Shirley Dobson The Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award Banquet not only honors an individual who represents Zig Ziglar's Christ-like humility and service, but all proceeds from the banquet directly benefit Sponsor-A-Child, the tuition assistance program at Prestonwood Christian Academy. To financially support the Zig event and PCA’s Sponsor-A-Child, visit: https://www.zigziglaraward.org/supporters For tickets to the Zig event, visit:https://www.zigziglaraward.org/zigziglar/zig-tickets

Guest: Jannique Stewart Jannique is a speaker for the Life Training Institute - a pro-life apologetics training ministry. PCA will host a parent training session on Tuesday evening, January 18th at 6:30 pm in the Horner Training Center. Parents, you'll want to attend this incredible and valuable training with Jannique - grab a friend and neighbor and take them with you! Jannique will also speak to our PCA students, 7th-12th grade, at both the North and Plano campuses.

PCA is in the middle of our Winter Sports season - we are talking with PCA Athletic Director Chris Cunningham about all things basketball, soccer and swimming - and we are also looking ahead to the 2022 Spring Sports season! Parent meeting for the Spring Sports is coming up on January 13th - so be looking for information about that meeting.

Parents, as we look to start off the New Year right, take a minute to consider your Bible reading plan for 2022. Our guests this week include two PCA moms, Julie Hildebrand and Anna May, who encourage you to prepare yourself, make a plan, and read your Bibles this year! Take a listen and be encouraged! If you want your children to grow spiritually, then you have to model the way - parents, you have to make time to be in God’s Word. Priority question - how much time are you (and your children) spending on your phones - social media, etc? What does it look like to have a personal Bible study time? Prepare your heart and mind. Sin will keep you from this Book…and this Book will keep you from sin. Have a reading plan - pick a book, go through the entire Bible (One Year Bible) (could do chronologically, too), pick a theme, etc… Read “repetitiously” - read a passage over and over and over again. Writing in your Bible - journaling Bibles, interwoven/interleaved Bible Check out the incredible resources/videos at The Bible Project The world is constantly communicating with you - make the effort to ensure that you’re hearing from God’s WORD as well.

Parents, I know you’re going to be thrilled to meet the PCA Campus Ministry Team - take a listen and learn more about who they are and what they do to serve our PCA community! PCA Campus Ministry Team Members: Lainie Montgomery Stephen Bryant Courtney Caldwell (PCA Alum, 2012) Caitlee Nabasny (PCA Alum, 2011) Caleb Snyder The Campus Ministry team at PCA coordinates all things in terms of spiritual growth and development for our students and enjoys doing life together with our staff and families. The Campus Ministry team is responsible for the US and MS retreats, chapels (10 each week!), advisory time, Pride of Brothers/Society of Sisters, Red Ribbon Week, various aspects of Homecoming (including H2OCO) Service Project Day, Texas STOMP, Junior/Senior Banquet, National Day of Prayer Graduation, and Operation Christmas Child (to read more about these events, click here). They serve students, families, and faculty at both the Plano and North campuses.

PCA parents, I am so excited to share this incredible episode with you - our guest is Dr. Jeremiah Johnston and he's talking about his new book Unleashing Peace - Experiencing God’s Shalom in Your Pursuit of Happiness - you're going to want to get a copy or two of this resource! Below are just a few highlights of what Jeremiah will share in his book and on this podcast - these truths can literally transform your life and the life of your family! It saddens me that the church is woefully behind in helping people with mental health issues, because every single person is somewhere on the mental wellness trajectory. Mental wellness is a conversation that includes all people of God. According to the World Health Organization, depression is now the leading cause of disability in the world. The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health. As I see it, Jesus was talking about and teaching wellness before anyone, but he used a different word: shalom - the best form of wellness there is. Stress kills people and poisons our bodies. Debilitating anxiety has become ubiquitous, unfortunately increasing in all age levels. Rates of major depression in teenages increased 52 percent in the 2010s from the previous decade and 63 percent among young adults. Shalom, along with its variations, appears 550 times in the Scriptures. 50 Happiness is not a feeling; it is a lifestyle, according to Jesus. Peace happens through an action verb: thinking. Philippians 4:8 - Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:9 - What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you. Each time you experience anxiety, try to identify the lies you are thinking and instead focus on the truth. Common lies include: God has forgotten me. God doesn’t love me. God has given up on me. I just committed that sin for the hundredth time. I am never going to make it. I am alone. I am a failure. Key application: You are never more like Jesus than when you - with great concern (not condemnation or anger or frustration) - intervene with someone in their time of affliction. So how can we implement the “Presence Principle”? Two words: create margin. We have to resist the busyness of the time that pulls us from the unscheduled moments to be the presence of Jesus for others (and in doing so, experience His power in fresh ways in our own lives). To experience peace, we must learn to live by faith in the promises and character of God. No one lives by having faith in explanations. The Bible presents vulnerability as a necessity of balanced Christian living. “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) The seventeenth-century Puritan thinker Richard Baxter keely wrote in a treasured hymn, “Christ leads me through no darker rooms than he went through before.” You see, our bodies, including our brains, are part of who we are, just as the Holy Spirit is part of who we are. It’s a whole package: body, soul, and spirit. To be at our best, we need to invest time and energy pursuing our best possible health spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Immediate Steps to Care for Your Body and Mind Get enough sleep Have daily fitness time Work on daily stress management Be intentional about what you put into your body Maintain a healthy weight

Congratulations PCA on your 25th Anniversary - and thank you to the Caldwell family for all that you did to make PCA a reality! Eddie, Paula, Josh (2010 graduate), Courtney (2012 graduate), and Ryan (2016 graduate) Caldwell. Eddie Caldwell shared what he thought made PCA the best school and he said that the best part of PCA then, and now, is still the faculty and staff of PCA - those men and women who are with your kids eight hours a day! Paula Caldwell shared some great life advice for younger parents - enjoy the time, it goes by quickly!!! Eddie Caldwell also shared a profound question - How do parents raise their children in this world today without a solid Biblical worldview foundation as part of the equation? Well, if you’re at PCA, you’ve already answered that you don’t want to try to raise your children without a solid Biblical worldview as their foundation! Don't forget to celebrate PCA's 25th year of serving our community with a Christ-centered education founded on God's Word! PCA parents, thank you for being a part of this incredible school - and a special thank you to all the men and women, like the Caldwell family, who helped launch this vision 25 years ago!

In this episode, you'll hear from Joel T. Rutherford - PCA Director of Fine Arts. Mr. Rutherford is in his 21st year at PCA. To listen to Joel’s professional performances, visit the website for Acoustix, or you can listen to Joel sing our country’s National Anthem at the Mavs game Mr. Rutherford shares about so many great things happening at PCA in our Art, Band, Choir, and Theater programs at both the PCA Plano and North Campus including that PCA Band just won the TPSMEA All State competition!!! PCA Band’s Facebook page PCA offers a play in the fall, and a musical in the spring PCA also has a Black Box Theater Support the Arts at PCA Prestonwood Baptist Church Tree Lighting Festival, Wednesday, Dec. 1 from 5-8 pm Excellence in all things and all things to the glory of God!

Parents, this is more of a call to prayerful action than an informational podcast episode - we get to hear the inspirational story of Tim and Kati Matthews, both staff members at Prestonwood Baptist Church and parents to three PCA lions. The Matthews have a moving and powerful story of God opening their hearts, through some difficult circumstances, to the idea of foster care and/or adoption. After giving birth to two biological daughters, that desire to adopt actually became a reality for the Matthews family as they welcomed J.J. into their family as their son. Listen as Tim and Kati share about the opportunities and challenges of adoption and the call to obedience to be available for God to use as He sees fit. To find out more about fostering and/or adoption, check out the CHOSEN Ministry at Prestonwood at their website ChosenforChildren.org. CHOSEN Ministry meets regularly at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. CHOSEN stands for: Christ’s Hope for Orphans: Supporting, Embracing, Nurturing. It is CHOSEN'S collective mission to raise awareness of the need for permanent families for orphan and foster children in the USA and abroad, while supporting families considering or who have already adopted, as an outreach ministry to engage people in the life and love of Jesus Christ through Prestonwood Church. For purposes of providing a framework to understand foster care and adoption, currently more than 11,000 foster children are currently in foster care throughout the DFW Metroplex, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. However, there are only about 7,000 licensed foster homes, which leaves almost one-third of children in state care without a domestic setting to call home. From the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website: The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) oversees all foster care standards and requirements. These are some of the basic requirements for potential foster parents; find a complete list here. Foster parents must be at least 21 years old; potential foster parents working with Jonathan’s Place must be at least 23 years old. There may be no more than six children in the foster home, whether they are adopted, biological or foster children. Each child requires their own amount of space based on square feet. Children ages 6 or older cannot share a room with a child of the opposite gender. There are no set income requirements, but foster parents’ financial stability is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 3+ WAYS TO HELP FOSTER PARENTS—WITHOUT FOSTERING Being a foster family might not be for everyone, but there is something almost anyone in our community can do to help kids in need. Here are three ways to support foster families: Babysit and mentor: Whether through respite care designed to give foster parents a break or just for an occasional outing, babysitting can be arranged formally through an agency or on an individual basis. Mentoring at the residential shelters on-site at Jonathan’s Place can also be formalized with a background check and official inclusion as a volunteer. Give material resources: A foster parent spends an average of $500 on each new placement, according to leading statistics, as a foster child usually arrives without any personal items. It’s uncertain how long the placement will last, and foster children often take items with them. Items such as clothing, shoes, diapers, sheets and other daily-use articles can make an important difference in a child’s quality of life. A child often changes schools when he or she goes to a new foster home; for that reason, school supplies are needed year-round. Amazon.com’s wishlists and monthly donations are also easy ways to give. Sponsor a unique interest: Foster children are just like kids everywhere, with interests such as sports, cheer, music, dance and other motivating passions that instill confidence and build skills. Continuing with a previously-established routine through a series of classes or being involved with a familiar pursuit kids have an affinity for already can also provide a sense of normalcy to a child whose life is otherwise in transition. Consider sponsoring an after-school activity, purchasing needed items such as band uniforms or dance shoes, or coordinating a themed birthday party. Another interesting note - The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reports that 6,397 sibling groups in the state of Texas are currently in foster care. Of those, 33.8% of them are not placed together. The multiple losses a child experiences when entering foster care is compounded by the unexpected loss of sibling separation. As one foster care alumni shared, “Being separated from my entire life was bad enough but being separated from my siblings is still painful.”

Parents, you’ll want to sign up your 7th - 12th grade students for FREEDOM WEEKEND asap! Visit the Prestonwood Students website to find out all the information you’ll need and to sign up your students for this incredible event. Everything (and I mean everything) you need to know, including the ability to purchase MERCH (merchandise) for your students is on this site. Mark your calendars now for FREEDOM WEEKEND - Feb. 2, 4-6, 2022. And, don’t forget that the location and ability to sign up for BEACH CAMP is announced at FREEDOM WEEKEND - you won’t want to miss that either!

Listen to the heart and vision of Lisa McNair, Head of School at St. Timothy’s Christian Academy, a school “made up of extraordinary students, encouraging parents, and great educators and support staff” addressing the various learning differences and styles of their student body. From the STCA website: St. Timothy Christian Academy exists to support families and educate students with learning differences in grades K-12 in a redemptive Christian environment, helping them realize their full potential as a child of God. Recognizing the unique learning style of each student, we are committed to bringing academic success to students who may have faced failures in traditional classroom settings. Skilled in innovative teaching methods and approaches, our staff strives to stimulate the learning style of each student through the adaptation of individualized curriculum, specialized assessments, pacing, and grading that is tailored to each child. We celebrate their differences! Certified teaching professionals provide a multi-sensory learning environment in all core classes, as well as Bible, Art, technology, and adaptive P.E. classes. Social skills are an integral part of the educational program. Our staff incorporates social skills instruction in all that we do, interweaving Biblical principles. Social skills are modeled for our students in daily interaction with peer interns from Prestonwood Christian Academy. Our students have at least one diagnosed learning difference. These could include, but are not limited to: ADD/ADHD Autism Spectrum Disorders Processing and Speech Disorders Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Mood Disorders Chromosomal Disorders Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities We have a low student/teacher ratio which enables us to meet each child’s individual learning needs. Each of our certified teachers employ a multi-sensory approach to instruction. To learn more about STCA, please visit their website at https:www.staplano.org/

Parents, get ready for an incredible two-day Biblical worldview training conference - PCA’s Biblical Worldview Institute (BWi) will be Tuesday and Wednesday, November 9th and 10th. This year’s theme is Civility and the line-up of speakers and topics is fantastic - we would love to see you for any or all of the sessions! On Tuesday, students will hear from Alexandra Hudson, author of Against Politeness, a soon-to-be-released book on why “civility” is more important than “politeness” in our current cultural climate. There will also be a panel discussion with college presidents Dr. Adam Wright (DBU) and Dr. Blake Thompson (Mississippi College) along with Alliance Defending Freedom attorney and former PCA parent Ryan Bangert discussing the “cancel culture” on the college campus and how as Christians we need to learn to engage and not shy away from the opportunity to live boldly for Christ while in college. The final session for Tuesday morning will feature Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, president of the Christian Thinkers Society and author of a new book titled Unleashing Peace: Experiencing God’s Shalom in Your Pursuit of Happiness. On Wednesday morning, students will get to hear from Darrell Harrison with Just Thinking Ministries as well as Caleb Kaltenbach, author of Messy Truth: How to Foster Community without Sacrificing Conviction - incredible book, convicting and encouraging at the same time! And Wednesday’s session will end with a crowd favorite - Christian illusionist Jim Munroe - check out his I Am Second testimony! To learn more about the BWi event and to register for attendance, check out the PCA website HERE. To check out some of our incredible past BWi conferences and speakers, click HERE.

Listen as we learn from the incredibly wise PCA college and career counseling department at PCA, Plano and North campuses - Jodi Benavidez, Toni King, and Kristin Dysart share some great insight for parents about how to prepare for the next chapter for their students following graduation from PCA. What does it mean for a college to be a “good fit” for your student? How important are grades and SAT/ACT scores? Should I attend the same college as my parents and/or friends? What role does your faith play in selecting a college? Listen and learn from the vast experience of these incredible women who want to make the college search process smooth and successful for your family!

PCA Parent Podcast - Dr. Shailendra Thomas The King’s Academy 469-372-2502 [email protected] https://www.tkadallas.org/ Served for the past 25 years for three outstanding Christian schools Head of School for Fellowship Christian Academy Head of School at Scofield Christian School Head of School at The King’s Academy Member of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship An exemplary education with a Christ-centered distinctive meeting the needs of a lower socio-economic community in the Bonton (Dallas) area. Prayer requests: Want to continue to expand one grade each year Want to get a building of their own - and stay in the 75215 zip code Looking for partners who want to sponsor a child’s monthly education costs

Parents, we have something special for you this week - you are going to have an opportunity to listen to another PCA podcast called LifeTalk, which is our podcast to our PCA alumni - this one features 2017 PCA graduate Emilie Rhodes, who went on to attend and graduate from The University of Texas and has recently returned to PCA as an English teacher on the Plano campus. Emilie does a remarkable job of sharing with you not only her experiences here at PCA, but also how prepared and equipped she was even for the hostile environment at UT - and she shares about one of the great things that sets PCA apart - the incredible connection of PCA students and faculty members - not just in the classroom, but outside of PCA as well. We hope that you'll listen and be encouraged by Emilie's story.

Listen and learn more about dyslexia from reading specialist Dena Goddard during Dyslexia Awareness Month. Dena will be hosting a parent information meeting on Monday, Oct. 11th at 6:30 pm in the Horner - come and learn even more and bring a friend as well!

Learning about all things Homecoming (or "Forthcoming" for the North Campus) - so much to know - decorating, parades, floats, dances, mum and garter exchange...mind-blowing! Oh, and don't forget, there are special festivities for those alumni coming home for the game (Plano campus) that you don't want them to miss!

Parents, listen to find out more about the incredible opportunity to financially support all the amazing things happening at PCA Plano and North, STCA, and TKA - North Texas Giving Day is a fun, exciting, and energetic opportunity to give to the annual fund that helps your school go above and beyond!

PCA is a ministry of Prestonwood Baptist Church and there are so many incredible opportunities for your family to connect with at Prestonwood. Jason Snyder, Minister of Spiritual Development, shares about the incredible variety of opportunities for your family - from kids ministry to student ministry to adult ministry - from LifeGroups to PSO athletics - Prestonwood is a community of believers doing life together - come listen and find out more about it!

PCA Athletic Director and varsity football coach Chris Cunningham shares his vision for Kingdom Athletics. Athletics is an incredible teaching tool for students at PCA - as a parent, you'll be encouraged to hear Coach Cunningham's vision for how sports can be used to train students in their walk with the Lord.

Get to know Dr. Katie Chretien (PCA Plano) and Donna Gilson (PCA North) - two incredible women who love the Lord, love teaching children, and love the PCA community!

For our first "Journey" we want to introduce all of our parents in the PCA System of Schools - PCA Plano, PCA North, STCA and TKA - to Dr. Mike Goddard, Superintendent of the PCA System of Schools.