Monday, July 30, 2007

The last week...

This last week I was in Chicago on a mission trip with our jr. highers. I have lots of great stories to share but no time to write about it now. The following are links to pictures and our team blog. That will keep you busy until I have time to post some of my thoughts. I was glad I got to be a part of a good week.





  • Team Blog


  • On Saturday my good friend Jeffrey and I left for Dayton, OH to see some of our best friends. We saw The Simpsons Movie together and enjoyed visiting over the weekend. Jeff took some pictures while we were there but I was too lazy too. Perhaps I'll get some from him to post. It was an incredible trip. I have amazing friends!

    Sunday, July 15, 2007

    High School Week at RLCA

    This last week I was at Rock Lake Christian Assembly for their high school week of camp. Here are some pictures from the week. Also, for those of you who were at camp, here is the link for the Turk Video. I'll post some more thoughts later this week. Enjoy!

    RLCA High School Week

    Saturday, July 07, 2007

    Off to camp...

    I’m getting ready to load my car and head out to the lake for another week of camp. Here in Vestaburg, everyone knows that is Rock Lake Christian Assembly and no one around here is surprised to hear me say that. Growing up, camp was my second home. I was always there either as a camper, a volunteer, a faculty member or a staff member. Camp was a major influence in my spiritual life and a place where I knew I would be challenged to grow. I haven’t been at the camp for more than a short visit in six years. I am so excited to go back. In honor of my return RLCA I decided I would share some of my favorite camp memories.


    -- Playing beach ball baseball in the tabernacle
    -- Playing “Get Smart” late at night across the entire campground
    -- The massive bonfire Ted build on my last night as a camper (probably the biggest in RLCA history)
    -- Corby stealing a chair from tbe Hotel lobby and setting it in the middle of the Tabernacle as we watched “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” on the big screen
    -- Numerous friends accepting Christ and being baptized in the lake
    -- Raking more goose poop than I ever wanted to on the lakefront after the stupid geese woke me up at 5 every morning
    -- Cleaning up a HUGE pan of jello that a volunteer spilled in the walk-in cooler (think about what happens to jello in a cooler!_
    -- Making milkshakes, burgers and fries every Friday
    -- Meeting this random girl who later moved to V-town and became one of my best friends
    -- Being greeting by Hi Gates as you pull up to registration
    -- Morning devos with Mary Lou and her cookies
    -- Many long talks with Shelly Gates (She had no idea how much I learn from her)

    The list goes on and on. But for now, it is off to camp!!!

    Sunday, July 01, 2007

    Vacation Bible School

    VBS always seems to be a week of pure chaos until it is over and you look back at what has happened over the week. This year I was the co-director with my dad even though I’m not sure how I got that position. This meant I didn’t spend much time one-on-one with students but there are a few highlights worth sharing.

    Earlier this year, there were two (may be three) little kids who walking by and needed to use the restroom while our custodian was cleaning. While they were there they asked what the building was for and what happened there. After they heard all about church they asked if they could come even if Mom and Dad didn’t. The next Sunday they were there and sat in the front row. They have been there almost every week because they wake themselves up and walk to church together. How awesome is that? Why don’t more adults get that excited and passionate about worshipping together?

    When I was in high school I did a lot of baby-sitting for families in the church. One of the families I babysat for has a child, Chester, with Down syndrome. I also subbed for his aide at school a few times because his parents are very particular about who they leave him with. Chester has been one of my buddies every since then. He is 23 now, I think, and was there helping Grandma this week. That meant he pushed in all the chairs, turned lights on and off, emptied the trash and kept everyone else in line. Chet hasn’t had the greatest time the last few years even to the point of wondering if he would make it. He is doing great now and we had a blast singing together this week.

    Check out some of our fun students in these pictures.

    Vacation Bible School 07

    Deeper Life Highlights

    There are a lot of things I could say about Deeper Life but I'm sure you don't want to read it all and I don't want to type it. Therefore you get the highlights!

    THEME: The View From The Top...

    SUNDAY morning Eric lead us on a hike. As we walked, he would stop and share how that area represented something in the coming week. God’s creation is beautiful but we don’t seem to take enough time to stop and learn from it. This was a great way to start the week.

    MONDAY we focused on God’s view of God. All day I was reminded of how huge my God is and yet he still allows me to speak to him and hear his voice. Deuteronomy 4:32-40.

    TUESDAY was a powerful day as we focused on God’s view of me. It is so easy for me to put on a mask and leave it there. After a while I think I forget it is there and allow that mask to be my reality. That reality is far from God’s view of me and I’ve got to allow God’s view to be my reality.

    WEDNESDAY may have been my favorite day as we talked about God’s view of us…the community. We worshipped in small circles that night. I loved watching a camper kneel down and wash his sister’s feet as he told her how much he loved her. I loved watching my small group take a step of faith because the felt the Holy Spirit nudging them and then watching God provide in their obedience.

    THURSDAY was a stretching day as we talked about God’s view of others. As we stepped back and looked at how we treat others in our lives it wasn’t long before many of us realized we needed to be loving more.

    FRIDAY we took a look at God’s view of responsibility. Our small group talked a lot about what everyone’s next right step was as they returned home. We had some of our greatest small group times this day as students started to share about struggles and tough decisions that had to be made.

    Deeper Life