Hey friends.
So sorry that a blog post didn't get up yesterday. We had a busy and super fun Tuesday, which led to one exhausted blogista (that's me).
Tuesday's games were up on the field. Thanks to a late night Monday (remember the 3 hour prayer tunnel?), the students were dragging a bit by the morning. So we intro-ed a new game, kind of like a human foosball game, that pretty much ended up looking like a bunch of kids standing still and throwing balls back and forth. Sleepy kids + a standing-still game = not quite the enthusiasm that one would hope. :) But then we brought back and oldie- mattress pass. And as has been the case for the last ten years or so, one of the Vickroy boys won the game. This time, Nathan, the rising 9th grader, rode the mattress like a champ and returned victorious.
The morning Awakening prayer time has been very powerful- to see our students interceding for their schools, their teachers, their friends, and their principals is AMAZING. I hope you get a chance to talk with your student about the heart of a lion that God has placed in him/her regarding their school year. 2009-2010 should be quite the year in Cobb County.
The evening activity was a hoe-down led by the best hoe-down caller in the world- Bob Cagle. For an hour, our cowboys and cowgirls stomped and swung around Mobley Hall
The Tuesday night evening service focused on how the love that God has for us should be the motivating factor in the things that we do and the way that we love other people. Scott has given us a beautiful new perspective on evangelism- we love because God loves us first! And the night ended with the students singing their own songs of love to God and receiving love from Him. The murmur, the hum, of hundreds of teens singing their own songs about how they love God is a heavenly sound.
Wednesday morning's games were, well, gross. I'm gonna let your kids tell you all about it, or you can watch it on demand in the near future on our live broadcast page. It involved a serious amount of buttermilk.
On Wednesday is when the students switch to their new Leisure Impact groups. (As you probably know, they go to 4 different teaching impact groups- one per morning. But As for Leisure, they go to the same one on Monday/Tuesday and then a new one on Wednesday/Thursday). And of course, water aerobics is in full effect. There is a new group called "Jam Band" that is super fun to walk by- and boy, is it loud. :)
Something new we have this year is a resource center for our students. For very low prices, Daniel Bashta and Kim Walker are selling their CDs and t-shirts, and there are books and journals and other resources that the students can use to continue to grow in their faith even once camp is over. It's another way that our youth minister Cory is showing his commitment to our students year round. It's awesome.
The Cool Beans Coffee Shop is HOPPIN' as usual! I went Wednesday for the first time right at 2:30pm when it opened and the line was already fifteen people deep! Smoothies and coffee drinks, chairs and magazines, the whole room is set up in a way that allows for students to connect to each other and the counselors in cool hang out location. We are really grateful to have this new staple at camp.
Our evening activity on Wednesday was such a huge hit last year that we knew we had to bring it back- the BIG GAME SHOW! We had kids winning water bottles, Chick-fil-A coupons, and even $50! We played Family Feud, the Matching Game, Quiz Questions, and Deal or No Deal. The students absolutely loved it again (as did the adults).
Wednesday night's service was fun. The prayer service to prepare for the night was just a room full of dancing counselors and students. It was a good time- dancing on behalf of what God was ready to do in the hearts of our students. Scott talked about courage- about stepping up and being a champion on the campus where they go to school. Using the example of Jonathan and his sword bearer, Scott challenged our students to live boldly for Christ. And then, for an hour or so, the students danced for their campus. They danced for their God. They danced to proclaim that each of them wants to be a champion for Christ.
On Thursday morning, Cory met with the counselors and said, "Last night was awesome, but it was not the mountain top", reminding us all that though last night (Wednesday) was very powerful, God is not done with us yet. Continue to pray for us today, knowing that God has a mighty MIGHTY plan for the rest of this week.
We hope you get to participate along with us by watching the service live tonight.
And of course, we hope you are able to join us at RiverStone Church on Friday night for the Homecoming Service- bring a picnic and eat with us at 5pm, then the service will begin at 6pm.
