CAMP DAYS!!! (Part 2)

Several pictures of Monday recreation! Great week so far!!!

CAMP DAYS!!! (Part 1)

These shots are all from Funsing on Monday morning. We always have a great time with these. There will be lots more to come on Sunday!

Something to Think About...

Why were Adam and Eve banished from the Garden of Eden?
Do you think you know?
There were two trees in the Garden. They ate from one of them. But, I wonder what would have happened if they at eaten from the other one...

Check out Genesis 3:22-23!

Concert of Prayer

I hope you enjoy these pictures from the concert of prayer! We had another good year as we corporately joined together to lift up our camp experiences. I was pleased to have many parents join us this year as well. It is my hope that in these last few days of preparation before camp you will continue to lift up our experience. Also, check back frequently next week as I hope to have daily updates and pictures from Youth Camp 2008!

It has been an interesting collision of two worlds for me this week. You may or may not know that we are hosting World Changers at our church this week. They are doing a phenomenal ministry in our city this week as they work to restore homes around Dyess Park. I have had the privilege of getting to know the "Hard Hats" this week. Our church's WMU, read Rena Mobley, has fixed lunch for this crew everyday and I have delivered drinks to them on their job site.

World Changers was the first place that I ever encountered a Concert of Prayer. The worship service in the middle of their week (Tuesday night) is always a Concert of Prayer. It is neat to be able to have our own while we have World Changers on our campus. One of the staffers remarked to me this afternoon that he had not ever seen it done as preparation for camp. He liked it. For those of you that participated, I hope you liked it, too!

A Word About: Preparation

Some of you may not know this, but Youth Camp doesn’t just happen. There is a lot of preparation that goes into making this week very special for you. Bands and locations are booked months in advance. Many adults prepare themselves for the lessons and jobs they will be responsible for at camp. Meetings are conducted to get all of the details worked out. Perhaps the most important aspect of the planning process is what will take place this Wednesday night. Your parents will meet to get logistical questions answered and final payments paid while you lay the groundwork for your experience at Youth Camp ’08. This Wednesday night at 6:00 we will have supper and at 6:30 will have our annual Concert of Prayer. This is a great night for you to join with other campers as we corporately and individually lift up each other and our time together at camp. We will have several stations in the Loft where you can lift up different aspects of camp. Make every effort to be here this Wednesday night at 6:00.

Poolside Bible Study... and beyond!

Thanks to the Howard's for having us out to swim!

What a great looking group this is!

After the pool, the party continued...

And then something about cell phones and popcorn?

VBS fun!

Here are some shots of just some of the fun we have been having at VBS this year. Tuesday night was bowling! Look for more shots of a great week at church and around.

A great crowd shot, Aaron and Matthew being crazy and Clark with one of his "famous faces!"
Peter and Nate deep in concentration as they will their ball to get a strike!

Emma opts for a little hip action.

Marsha had her own style, too... and it seemed to work!

Jacob is preparing for action!

We had some friendly...

and not so friendly competition... energy drink anyone?

A Word About: Timing

As many of us get ready for camp I hope to inspire all of us with a story that was sent to me this week. I’m sure you have heard about the destruction in China and Myanmar (formerly Burma) is the last month. There is an organization called Caring for China that has been on location for 25 years. I can’t say that nothing has been accomplished over that time period, but it certainly does not compare to the amount of good work that is being done now as a response to these natural disasters. I will include a link here to the letter from the president of Caring for China found on his blogsite. Pay special attention to the last paragraph: http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog/g/eb8d9715-9f29-4665-aa74-84bb6ebf137d
Sometimes we are involved in certain activities for a long time before we relly feel that we are making a difference. The challenge is to continue doing what you know is reight regardless of the outcome. “Caring for China has been in China for over 25 years, and I don’t think it is an overstatement to say that all our efforts up until now were simply preparation for such a time as this.”

Here I am!

Some people take a little more prodding than others. I guess I must be one of those! After many conversations and a growing desire to have a place to blog here I am. Now, we'll see how good I am at this. Who knows what might show up on here. Check back often for updates.