Night 4 is the epic night that "never ends." Our students were met with crazy surprises, that I won't reveal to you. :) In our day and age it's hard to be surprised. And often surprises aren't good ones. At YL camp the campers don't know the schedule each day, they don't know what fun activities lay ahead. They can't plan out their every minute. They live in the moment at camp and live it fully. I love that. So last night was an amazing night had by all and it was full or smiles and surprises.
Today Day 5 they are hiking at MOUNTAIN!!! Pics to come!
Day 3. Our students have heard 3 talks of truth at club. Had 3 cabin times, rode horses, repelled off a mountain, participated in a rodeo, bonded with their friends, laughed, cried, and ate amazingly good meals as a family.
One of our girls cabins before riding the Ridge Runners
90's Themed Cabin Volleyball
Junior Girls
2 of our amazing leaders- looking for Nemo
Day 2. Kids have been going full speed for over 48 hours! They have had family meals, an epic club, a camp wide volleyball tourney, cabin time, and so much more. They are having a blast and our leaders are tired. It makes me appreciate our leaders. They are in it with kids now at camp and when we get home. We believe in earning the right to be heard and earning the right to be let in. Our students bond with their leader at camp in a way I can't even put into words. Our first cabin times were incredible. Students are letting their leaders in on their life and their heart and who they really are. Our hope is that they will continue to grow in that relationship and ultimately begin to consider a relationship with God. Join me in praying for our leaders to be filled and full of energy as they go big and meet kids where they are.
They made it!!! Our students and leaders arrived at Frontier Ranch today at 2:30pm. They were greeted by a screaming crowd of work crew, staff, and YL volunteers all celebrating their arrival and the adventure that awaits! We are so excited for kids to unplug from phones and busyness and plug into adventure, the outdoors, relationships, and truth. In students free time the explored camp, hiked, shopped the YL store, some went repelling, go-cart riding, and swam in the pool. Tonight they will have their first club of camp with over 500 other high school students.
One our our girls cabins before repelling
The adventure begins- the first 3 minutes of the bus ride :)
Wow. Another school year of YL Club came to an end last night. It has been an honor to lead these students over the past 4 years. It has been an honor to watch lives change, hearts heal, and students ultimately finding life in Christ. Last night we had our annual Senior Night Club where Seniors from all 3 high schools take over Club. They lead the games, raffle, announcements, choose the music, and so on. But the highlight for our volunteer leader team and myself is always open mic. Seniors share truth. They share how they have found God over the course of their 4 years, how YL has impacted them, and any advice they have for underclassmen. I cry every year. I cry because it is such a gift to see inside the hearts of these students, to hear what has been happening on the inside and see how this ministry has somehow become their second family and pointed them to Jesus.
Brady sharing at open mic.
Brady shared, "Just because this is the last Young Life, that doesn't mean it ends. We've made these relationships with our leaders, other YL kids, and most importantly we've made a relationship with Jesus."
I love that students get it. That they have found relationships with their peers that is real, deep, and supportive. That they have found their relationship with their YL leader as a friend and mentor. And that many have found the ultimate relationship with our source of life, Jesus Christ.
We believe in the class of 2016. We believe they will leave a legacy. We believe that God has started a good work in them and will carry it out to completion. We see who they have the potential of becoming. We see their beautiful hearts. We see they are not perfect but trying to chase a perfect God. We love you Seniors! Thanks for letting us YL leaders into your beautiful lives. Once a YL kid you will always be a YL kid. You are family and we love you!
YL Seniors
Announcements:
We believe that YL camp is a place where a kid can be a kid and experience the best week of their life. Many LS kids need help paying for camp. If you would like to donate and help a LS kid go to camp contact: Kim Carslon @ kimbocarlson@comcast.net or give online here:
YL is a nonprofit ministry. We have to raise around $45k a year to keep YL in LS. Our biggest fundraiser is our LS YL Golf Tourney. If you would like to join us, be a sponsor, or invite other to do so please do so and share with others!
We have kicked off our semester having had 3 YL clubs and 2 WL events already. Our small group ministry, campaigners, is also up and running. Our camp trip this summer to Frontier Ranch is already sold out with students on the wait list! God is moving.
This semester I challenged my YL leaders who are slotted to speak this semester to title their talk the same as a current billboard hit. It has been a challenge. I believe God is in all things, even current pop songs scream out for more. My hope is that students would hear that song throughout the week and connect it to truth about the life Jesus offers. I spoke week 1 with my song and title being, "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth. I shared the story of Peter walking on water from Matthew 14:22-32. Focusing on a few main points: Jesus wants us to get out of the boat and experience life
with him. Jesus is only one call away- He pulls us up when we
sink. He does not leave us.
Peter’s afraid.He could sink and die.But
he goes.Peter steps out of the
boat and walks on water.
Then what happens?He messes up?Maybe he’s thinks
he’s doing it on his own, maybe he gets anxious and worry takes over and He
turns away from Jesus.He is
scared and calls out… Jesus, save me!Prob the quickest prayer of his life.His one call away.
Maybe Jesus is singing –
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
(Have a listen and see if you hear truth in this song).
And what does Jesus do when Peter messes up?Does he let him sink?Does he turn away?Does he get disappointed, or yell, or
leave?No, He hears Peter’s honest
cry of his heart.
Jesus IMMEDIATELY reached out, grabbed Peter’s hand, pulled him
up, and I think smiled and said- You lost your faith didn’t you?Why did you doubt me?He was saying- I will always be there-
I will always keep coming to the middle- I’ll be there to save you.No matter where you go know you’re not
alone. We want our students to know that life with a relationship with Jesus is an adventure that life can happen and happen to the full there. We are called to get out of the boat of our life and hear the call from Him to walk on water. Of course we are like Peter and we sink, we screw up, we fall down. But the great news is how Jesus responds to us in that time. I think of my son Otto learning to walk. He took his first steps and we were so pumped! We instagrammed it, high-fived each other, celebrated our son's steps. After only a few steps of pure delight he fell down. Our response as parents was not to yell or punish him for falling down, we simply helped him back up. We know he was designed to walk and later run and want to help him do so. Just like our heavenly father his desire for us to walk and run. He celebrates our steps. He knows we will fall and He will be there to help us up. As YL leaders we celebrate our students as they say YES to life with Christ and getting out of the boat. We desire for them to keep getting up when they fall. We want to offer them support and encouragement as they do. What a great role and honor. lsyl.weebly.com For our calendar of events.
Our Mr. Christmas Tree Contestants: Seth, Patrick, Brady
We wrapped up 2015 with our epic Mr. Christmas Tree Club. What a night! I was reminded how great our students are, how willing they are to welcome others, have fun, be crazy, and seek truth. Three of our senior guys put themselves on stage competing from Mr. Christmas Tree. Each performing a "talent," formal wear, and then decking themselves as Christmas tree. We laughed until we cried. I love how humor breaks down walls and barriers allows us to be who we really are and be open to truth. Landon then shared a message of truth of Emanuel, God is with us, and what that truly means. That he is with us all year not just now and how incredible that is.
This semester I have seen kids fall in love with Jesus. I have seen leaders give hours upon hours meeting with kids, sharing truth, and earning the right to be heard. I have seen students who have never attended church walk through church doors and sit with their YL leader and YL friends week after week. I have seen students who are on the outside of life feel on the inside with YL. I have heard kid story after kid story of how they found Christ and real life through this ministry. I have seen churches welcome us, support us, and encourage us. I have seen kids want prayer and ask for help. I have seen God at work and He is good.
I have seen community members, churches, and parents give time, prayer, and financial support to this ministry. Thank you for making 2015 one for the books! We invite you to join us as we move into another great year!
