Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Camp Continues...

YL Campaigners



Camp continues.  Tonight over 40 high school students came together to go deep, to get real, and to learn more of how to follow Jesus.  One of the many things I love about YL, is we continue to share life with students.  Camp is not just a one time event we tuck away and move forward from.  We build upon those relationships, that family/community, and students wanting more and saying YES to following Jesus.  YL leaders walk beside students from where they are to where they want to be.  Tonight we had YL Campaigners- our more in depth Bible Study- and it was incredible.  We talked about where we have seen God since being home, how God is in all things- especially music, unpacked Matthew 7:13-14, and asked real and hard questions about following Jesus.

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
  
I highlight of my night was choosing 3 songs to listen to and seeing how in the midst of it you can hear God.  That if we stop and listen we can often find more in what we are listening too.  For example, we listened to Phillip Phillips- Gone, Gone, Gone:

When enemies are at your door
I'll carry you away from war
If you need help, if you need help.
Your hope dangling by a string
I'll share in your suffering
To make you well, to make you well.

 
Give me reasons to believe
That you would do the same for me.

And I would do it for you, for you.
Baby, I'm not moving on
I love you long after you're gone.

For you, for you.
You would never sleep alone.
I love you long after you're gone
And long after you're gone, gone, gone.


God is in those lyrics.  Phillip Phillips maybe singing about a girl but I hear God in those lyrics and His promises to never leave us, to rescue us, to heal, to give us life in the midst of hard times.  I encouraged students to listen to music differently and see if they could hear more from their country songs, to hipster tunes, to K-Love.  I believe a lot of it is telling a bigger story.  So my phone is now blowing up with texts from students telling me a song they connect with and now hear something more.  One student texted this one and said this song is how she feels now after saying yes to real life following Jesus and it really got me...

Listen for more... and know (especially the beginning) is how many students feel now after choosing the small and narrow gate that few ever find. 

First Day of My Life- Click to Listen

Amen.

For more on YL Events and Activities:
YL EVENTS CALENDAR 

Saturday, August 10, 2013

YL Camp Diaries: Day 7



Today each camper had a one on one conversation with their leader

We are coming home! 

Day 7
We departed camp with many emotions.  Today each camper met with their leader for a one on one conversation where they got to be real and share from their heart.  It was a very special time for all of us.  LS YL is coming home!  We are coming home after having a week full of adventure, fun, deeper friendships, and many with deeper and new relationships with Jesus.  What a wonderful week!!! 

Friday, August 9, 2013

YL Camp Diaries: Day 6






Day 6.  We only have 24 hours left to enjoy the best week of our lives.  Tonight kids will spend 15 minutes in being still in the mountains and some of us talking to God for the first time.  We are having adventure, fun, getting real and growing our friendships!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

YL Camp Diaries: Day 5

Today was a mountain top kind of day.  Today we hiked a mountain as a camp.  We all made it, but not all pictured.  An incredible experience and view to remind us of how beautiful life really is.  The day is still going...


Celebrating together!

(Most) of us at the top of the mountain.

YL Camp Diaries: Day 4

Some of our guys at our western night dinner!


You know what I love... watching kids be kids.  How often to we allow and set up kids to play, to have adventure, to dress up, to dance?   Today, well yesterday, we played and we played hard.  We had a day and night full of the fun.  We ended the night with many surprises... I will only reveal a couple- with a western dinner, square dance, rave and dance party, and so much more!  Best week of your life is happening right now. 

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

YL Camp Diaries: Day 3

Some of our girls after completing the ropes course.


Today I turned 36. I'm here at Crooked Creek Ranch with 575 high school students I celebrated another year of life.  Today was a gift.  From the biscuits and gravy at breakfast to the cabin time full or real heart to heart stories.  I am blessed.  I will admit my job is weird and crazy, but it is an honor.  My volunteer leaders and I are so blessed to be given the privilege to journey with kids and be let in their life.  Today was full of beautiful mountain views, zip lining (no I didn't do it), water gun fights, octaball, an outdoor bbq dinner, watching my cabin of girls conquer their fears of heights in the ropes course, an amazing club where hearts were opened to our need for Jesus, and being beside kids conquer their fears of letting down their walls and really share their story.  Things are happening and it is beautiful. 

Monday, August 5, 2013

YL Camp Diaries: Day 2

After wrapping our night up with our first "cabin time" students finally rested and were up and at em' today.  We kicked off the day with an incredible breakfast and then a camp wide volleyball tourney.  Each cabin created some team costumes for the event.  Check out some of our pics. 


The Male- Nurses- "MURSES"

The Frat Boys (girls)

Some our our Minions

More Minions
I promise each camper is having the best week of their life.  They are enjoying some free time now at the pool, hot tub, or playing octaball, wiffle ball, mountain bike riding, ridge runners, and zip-lining.  Oh and I would say within 5 hours of being at camp they have spent all their money at the camp store buying YL swag :)

Tonight we will have our 2nd club and cabin time with some other entertaining surprises!


Sunday, August 4, 2013

YL Camp Diaries- Day 1

YL Camp Diaries- Day 1

We sent a charter bus with only 1 empty seat to embark on the best week of their life at Crooked Creek Ranch.  The 14 hour bus ride is only an energy boost to the campers!  They will arrive at Crooked Creek at 3pm today for one of the best arrivals.  Students from all over the country who volunteer, work crew, will greet them with dancing and cheering, unload our bus and hand carry each of our suitcases to our cabins.  Then camp is in action!  We will have some free time to do the blob, giant swing, shop at the store, go to the pool or giant hot tub.  Then later today we will have our first YL Club and cabin time and compete in huge obstacle course that will end in a pool party!  BOOM it's happening.  Follow the blog to keep posted!

A bus full and ready to go!



Thursday, August 1, 2013

YL Pool Party and Community Gathering

Lee's Summit Young Life took over 70 to camp this summer!  It really was the best week of their life!  Come find out why.  Hear from students and volunteer leaders what YL and YL camp is all about. 


What:  Camper/Parent Pool Party and Celebration

When:  August 15th- 7pm-9pm

Where:  The Carlson's Home:
9712 Windsor Dr
LS MO 64086

Click on website for all the info!  


http://lsylcelebration.weebly.com/