The weekend we BELIEVED....

Wow... another year of Believe in the books.

I have honestly lost count on how many I have been to over the years.

I bought a sweatshirt that said BELIEVE - Est 1997.  Well, I was at Believe 1997 so there you go... I know I've been to other youth conferences before - I guess those weren't called Believe... see how I've lost count?  All of that to say, I've been doing this for a LONG TIME.

It really freaks me out because I was thinking of that.... even if we just go back to the beginning of this.  Those kids were anywhere from 11 to 14.... they are now 21 to 24.... OH MY GOSH. Adults themselves.

... & I'm still jamming it up with middle school kids at these things. What is wrong with me? ;) haha

More importantly - where does the time go?

Friday kicked off with me running late. Dang it.

I got off work early but still had to run home & wasn't packed. That was my downfall.

But I still got there right before the kids did - whew!

It was funny because my group was originallly supposed to have 18 kiddos - but after more girls from my night time bible study got there & found out they were in another group - they asked if they could be switched... I ended up with 21 girls... That's some "small group"

But honestly - these girls are so great... we really did have an amazing small group time.  Some great discussions - some big emotions - some amazing talks. & they are all respectful of one another - listening to each other & not talking over each other... they are the best. Truly the best kids ever!

This years theme was WITH.... & the phrase we kept repeating was God's Will IS WITH....

& we had some great lessons on how we need to remember how God is so near... how we dont have to work towards to earn that relationship with God - He is pursuing US... we need to just remember that & know that not only that He is WITH us - He is WITHIN us... He gave us the Holy Spirit as a reminder that He is always near. Never leaving us.

So many great examples....

There was a great story the speaker gave where he parachuted out... they gave him the lesson on what to do & showed him where the cord was to pull - YOU CANT MISS IT - it was pink with a golf ball on it - right on the chest - YOU CANT MISS IT.... except when he jumped, he panicked & he couldnt find it. Totally convinced he was going to die.  & then the hand came around him to pull the cord for him.  He was so lost in the panic, he forgot he was in a tandem unit & there was someone on his back who was in control.  There was someone in charge - someone who was going to make sure he was safe in this. ... such a good visual story.

Believe is so great at making these weekends come to life

I loved it too because SO MANY TIMES.... they referenced that God being with us because He created us - KNIT US!  He was the one who KNITTED US IN THE WOMB... I felt like standing up every time they said it & being like REPRESENT!!!!

A few of the other leaders even told me every time the speakers said that, they thought of me....I should have lifted my knitting high when they said it every time... y'all know I had my knitting with me (but I actually had no time to knit but a few stitches the entire time - too busy having fun with my girls)

& the worship is always amazing.... these kids FEEL it... they are so free to worship in a way they dont any other time.

The kids even told me they love going up to the front where everyone crowds & they dont even know the person next to them but they love worshipping with these 'strangers' - just knowing you all have a connection because you're worshiping the same God together.  Such a special feeling.

Of course, I was a little on the freaked out side with all the flu stuff going around & it seeming like the world is sick. I was QUEEN of the hand sanitizer.

& then Saturday morning, one of my girls was like, "go to the bathroom with me - I think I'm going to be sick"... well, indeed she was. She threw up TWICE.  Talk about a panic attack coming in.

I called the nurse & the nurse checked her out & sat with her for the afternoon. She thought it may be some sort of food allergy or anxiety thing because the girl never ran a fever & totally acted fine the rest of the evening - dancing, jumping, eating a salad... but I was freaked out & kept the sanitizer flowing.

& even worse, another leader from another church passed OUT on one of my youth kiddos... spilling his coffee in the meanwhile all over her... AND thank God she was there - he would have hit his head on the hard concrete.

But he was sweating with a fever - told the nurses when they got there that he has the FLU.... OK - let's stop for a second - WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY would you come to a youth conference if you knew you had the flu??????? COME ON PEOPLE... & we wonder why the flu is an epidemic right now? I was so angry about this. Like LIVID about it.

The nurses put a mask on him immediately & they got him out to go to the hospital.

I told my MSM girl to take that shirt off & BURN IT.  We got her another shirt & I about doused her with sanitizer too... UGHHHH - all the sickness.

Pray none of us get sick now after this weekend. (PLEASE SWEET JESUS)

The best part of the weekend was these kids making choices & decisions on becoming Kingdom Workers - what CIY calls it to promote following through weekends like this - decisiosn on what you're going to do NEXT....put your faith into action to change the world.

The challenge was to do this in group of 3's - accountability.... they went to different areas to see where they were going to decide what they were going to do.  They brought their decision back to me & we prayed over the things they wanted to do together.... I LOVED THIS PART OF THE WEEKEND.

We headed back to church to break down the weekends events... & found out 3 people decided to commit their life to Jesus... YAHOOOO!!!!

& about a dozen are rededicating... A successful weekend! GO GOD!!!!!

& then it was time for a Talent Show.  & next thing I know - I have a group of girls running up to me to ask me to dance with them. I thought they were joking. These girls dance. Like seriously dance every weekend in competitions - I told them to just do it on their own & they refused - they said I HAD to do it with them.

& then they showed me a routine... & next thing I know - we're starting the talent show in 15 minutes. Ummm.... what's that routine?  HAHA - they didnt even care. They were like, freestyle the whole time - we dont care - we just want you up there. I LOVE THESE GIRLS.

So I have no problem making a fool out of myself for them.  I just kept telling myself - its all about memories. I want these girls to grow up remembering they had someone who loved them so much, they just wanted to have fun. There's no cares in having a good time together.  I want these girls to always remember our friendships & relationships when they think back on this weekend.

{Here's the full version if you saw it on Facebook}



 But let's back up & say, our kids have some AMAZING TALENT! There were some kids ,I sat with my jaw dropped at how amazing they were.  We had one kiddo that has skills with a yo-yo that he SERIOUSLY needs to get on America's Got Talent.  Me? Not so much ;) haha

& then we went into the sanctuary for our CELEBRATION SERVICE.

What a great time to have kids come up & talk about their weekend & what they learned...

& to get to worship one more time together.

Its so hard to put into words weekends like this. They are so individual. God speaks differently for every single person.  But the fun  & relationships that come out of these weekends are just the best part of it all.

Even when you get 3 hours sleep & you eat junk all weekend - & your feet are killing you - & you deal with puking kids - & make a fool out of yourself.... it's all worth it. & you look forward to the next year.

DROP / WALK / SPEAK / LIVE

I know I talked a lot about camp yesterday & how much fun it was & all the good side... & bad side... lets not forget all the hurling going on. Total bad side...

But the weekend had a topic we focused on all weekend.

Peter.

When I heard that, I was so excited because I relate to Peter.

Peter, the one who dropped his nets to follow Jesus & wanted to learn all he could from this man who was teaching new truths on God... & the man who turned away from God, heart broken that he did just as he told Jesus he wouldn't do - deny him.  & the man who got to see his friend in a risen body after they witnessed his crucifixion & tell him he loved him.  & the man who Jesus told that His church would be built through him... even after his failures.

I get Peter.  I understand Peter.

So I was excited for the kids to learn about Peter & how his story could tap into their own lives.

Each night, we talked about a word the represented Peter's Story....

DROP / WALK / SPEAK / LIVE

DROP
Peter dropped his nets to go to Jesus.  Left everything behind. His career as a fisherman.  His family. Everything he knew & was comfortable with.  ... & we were reminded how we need to DROP our concerns that hold us back. The things that we dont want to do for Jesus because we may be uncomfortable. The worries that we can come up with. They will always keep us in a place of comfort that isn't helping anyone.  DROP our own nets as fast as we can.....dont let them hold us back.

WALK
We were reminded how in the middle of a storm, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. Took that step of faith to stand on the un-standable, keeping his focus on the One who would give him the power to stand.  .... & we were reminded that in the storms of our life, because there will always be storms, that Peter showed us that its better to be in the middle of a storm WITH Jesus, than safe in the boat without Him.  Jesus will protect us, get us through those rough times - we just have to stay near him & trust in Him until the winds calm down.

SPEAK
We looked at what people were saying about Jesus & Jesus looked at Peter & said, "Who do you say that I am?"... & Peter replied, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God".  Peter spoke loudly what he knew to be true.  Even if it wasn't something others agreed with.  ... & we were reminded that we need to speak up, voice our belief in Jesus to others. Share His word. Share who He is.  & we took it a step further in our group & I asked the kids "Who would people say YOU are?"... & we got a lot of words - a lot not so flattering. It was eye opening I think for the kids to voice how they thought many saw them.  We want to change that.  We want others to say about us, "Who is so & so?... Oh, they're a Christian.  Oh, they are a Jesus Freak.  Oh, they are a Kingdom Worker.  Oh, they are the kindest, giving, generous, loving person.".

WHO WE SAY JESUS IS... We proclaim it

LIVE
This was a powerful one.  We got to see how Peter failed Jesus. Denied him. 3 times.
Failure at its finest.  But we saw that in the end, Jesus had Peter proclaim that he loved Him... & Peter's world was turned around.  Failure doesnt have to hold us back. Jesus forgives us.  & failures are going to happen.  We asked about failures in our small group & the girls asked me what one of my failures were - & I said, "Are we just talking about today or all time?... because failures DO happen every day. We aren't perfect... but we were reminded that Peter made an impact in God's Kingdom & in our own lives & failures, we are called to be Kingdom Workers. We are to take our own talents & abilities God has given us & we are to LIVE FOR HIM by using these talents & grow the Kingdom of God however we can.  We can take the story of our failures & put an "AND THEN" on it & finish the story in a glorious way!

It was an amazing lesson to take to heart... every single day....every single message

& I love going to these events for Middle School kids because as you can tell, all of these points are things that even the "old folk" like me needs to be reminded of.

It's what makes the Bible so cool ... its timeless... ageless... eternal.

The weekend I survived Pukefest... or what I call MIX CAMP

sooooo yeahhhh - camp involved a lot of puke this year.

At least it wasn't mine!  That's ALWAYS a good thing. Praise the Lord!!!

Anyways, before I jump in, I wanted to thank everyone for the sweet comments & messages about being away at an amazing opportunity to serve doing middle school church camp & away from the comfort of my home & leaving my hubby & doggies.  Always tough for me.

When I got home, my email was so overwhelming, I may not have gotten back with most of you (& by most of you, I mean like 99% of you - & the other 1% was because of a question) - so I am back in routine this week & cant wait to read your blogs & comment away.

& a heads up, this is going to be long.  I get it if you dont want to read it all... but I gotta document it for myself & memory sake.  I'll sum it up if you dont want to read - IT WAS AWESOME... anyways, I think its worth reading ;)

So yeah - Camp started on Tuesday, but I ended up working & leaving from work to take care of some things & then headed up late.

But I am not going to start a youth event without my usual stop.  STARBUCKS!!! Its tradition. Caffeine overload to handle middle school kids.

When I got up to camp, all the kids were in the first session & I tried to text our youth pastor & he couldnt find a cart to come get me... so I ended up starting my camp trip by dragging my luggage & sleeping back & pillow through the pouring rain.  That's fun.

Hiding under my car hatchback waiting for the rain to let up

I went in to find my room & saw all the other girls had taken all the beds.... except the top bunk.....

Uh Oh!!!!  I just planned on sleeping in my car. haha.  This 45 year old girl wasn't going to climb up a ladder 10 times a night - I have a 45 year old bladder after all.  I was rooming with 5 high school girls & 2 college girls so they have the ability to get up & down easier than me.  & bless her heart, I had one sweet girl change beds so I could have a bottom bunk.  I am forever in her debt.

I headed over to the worship center a little upset, feeling my age in the first 15 minutes of arriving but my feeling were instantly perked up when I walked in & I was swarmed with girls running to hug me & excited that I was there.

The first night was rainy so it limited our game time but it made for a good group time.... here's all our Indiana campus together in our "Family time"

The first night when we got back to our dorms, it was like ENERGY CENTRAL.  The kids could care less about the time scheduled for "lights out" & even in my own room, full of teenage girls, no one wanted to settle in.  I have to say, I so enjoyed spending time in the room with these girls. Listening to them & their stories & laughing & sharing with one another.  I honestly love these sweet girls & am always impressed by them.

Morning Meeting Time... all the girl leaders +1 - the girl on the far left is at another campus but we'd love to have her at ours

But every morning started with a youth leader meeting right after breakfast... which I didnt go to, because you know..... the C-word. When you are at a camp with a few hundred kids, its going to be eaten at breakfast so my routine was to go over & get coffee & a banana before anyone came in to eat & before smells were drifting.  I would come back & have some alone time to start the day while every one was away or one of the sweet college girls came back & sat with me & chatted until the meeting started.  I had never really spent a lot of time with this particular young lady & she just won me over throughout the weekend (she's the same one who switched beds with me too)

After the meetings, we'd have a morning session with some morning games, some early morning worship & then a small lesson to get an idea on what the main event lesson was going to be on that night.  & then we'd be sent to small group time with our individual groups... usually about 16 people each.

  They are just THE BEST!! Honestly, the best group of girls a leader could have.

It would be time for lunch right after our small group & then we'd have some free time.

One day, they scheduled our MIX game during the free time & it was so much fun.  It was super funny because NONE of the girls wanted to do it in my group.  (Getting that 8th grade "too cool" factor happening) & I asked them if I did it, would they do it. They all were excited for that.  In the end, they all came up to me & said they were so happy they did it & it was one of the most fun things they've done before.

Some times, people need that push to do things they'd otherwise not try..... #lifelessoninbubbles

How do you not love running through bubbles?

& Please note, we had to fight off a "Sweaty Getty" from stealing our snowman we had to build... & my scream totally made them run off.  I'm proud.

A lot of free time was spent either in the pool, or the lake, & I even pulled out some cards & we'd just spend it on the front porch of our dorm & play some games & I'd brought my speaker & playing some christian music  & sing along.  It all just went by so fast & we had so much fun just having the funniest conversations.

It would be time to clean up, go to dinner & then back to the worship center for our Night Session - that was ALWAYS so powerful.  So deep & meaningful.  These were some GOOD TALKS. & the worship time was just so uplifting.

We'd close out the night with either another quick small group time... or one night, we had a worship session outside & did a prayer walk & ended it singing praises under the stars (one of my favorite things) & another night, we ended up having a Christmas scavenger hunt that ended with a Popsicle party in the middle of a field.

Scavenger Hunt goodies

This is camp... for sure!  SO MUCH FUN!!!

The worst part of camp were the kids were just going down fast.... so many pukers!  It started on day 1 with 2 boys that threw up... but they were both from another campus & their dorm was far away.  We'd thought we'd be safe.  We were wrong.

2 nights later, one of my girls looked at me in the middle of a session & said, "I GOTTA GO TO THE NURSE NOW"... & she just felt awful.

That same night, another girl in our dorm left too sick....& the day after that, another one of my girls left nauseated & feeling awful.

The doctor & nurse on staff there thought it was from dehydration.  The kids werent drinking any water... & it was SO HOT.  & plus, they are kids. They are running & running & running. So between no water & all the moving, they think dehydration & exhaustion was key.

I actually had 2 more girls that got sick but they both laid in the nurses room & slept for 2 hours & then woke up & drank & ate & they perked right back up & was able to stay. SO GLAD!!!

But the worst of it was the last night.... I got woken up at 2:30am with the news, "We have someone who threw up all over her room".... OH JESUS... HELP ME...

I ended up walking with her over to the nurse... again, at 2:30 am (MERCY) & bless our sweet little college girl's heart - she's studying to be a nurse so she was OK with the room & cleaned it up.   THANK YOU LORD!!!!... I stayed with the girl & she said she was feeling better so we walked back to the dorm, ONLY for her to throw up 4 times on the walk. Nope - back to the nurses office.  I was just trying to hold it together.... I dont do well with things like this.

We finally got back to the dorm about 3:30... only to be woken up AGAIN because they said she had been throwing up NON STOP for another hour & they had to call her mom so we needed to pack her up. Luckily, her small group leader went & got it all together. So you could say, that night was a bad night.

& while that was awful, there of course was AMAZING moments that made it all worth it - even through all of THAT yucky stuff.

The conversations that we had... the questions asked & the discussions that were struck up with debates, the relationships & friendships that were formed or strengthened....   It's just the best time. What camp is really all about.

& the last night... I get teary eyed thinking about it.  It was just so special because we had the opportunity as leaders to go pray over every one of our kids in our small group.

Having a close relationship with a lot of these girls already, it was just so touching to be able to pray with them one on one asking for God to help them show them their talents that they can use to become Kingdom Workers.... & knowing some of these girls, I loved speaking into them the talents that I saw in them.  It was just so moving.

My poor girls... they were all so emotional.  I cant blame them being an emotional gal myself.... but I told them, "You have to stop crying - you're all already dehydrated" haha... it was just the best moment of the entire trip for me & I know for them too.  I know they all walked out that final night feeling a renewed closeness to God.

But OF COURSE, the most ultimate part of church camp is when kids make the choice to follow Jesus through baptism.  I think this just has to be the COOLEST WAY EVER to get baptized. In a lake, with your family there & surrounded by hundreds of people who are praying for you.

They had the decision time on Thursday night so parents could be called & told what was happening so they could make the trek up to camp the next evening.  & there were even 2 kids that one had their grandpa come in the water with him & baptize his grandson (cue the tears) & one where a father baptized his daughter after just getting baptized himself  months ago (cue the sobs on that one... it was so touching what he said before)...

We had 2 kids from our campus get baptized & it was just such an honor to watch & celebrate with them.

29 lives changed.... forever....

It was definitely an amazing time... exhausting & trying... but so worth it. I am so thrilled I went.

LEADERS SURVIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

& then it was time to pack up & leave all the fun behind... & hopefully all the germs too....

but when I left, I was sooooooo excited to see Ricky.  I was so busy through the days that I probably talked to him maybe 10 minutes the entire 4 days I hadnt seen him....

so when he met me at Panera so I could get some really good decent food, when I saw his truck pull in, I started crying.  Honestly. I'm a sap. I was just so excited to see him.

I never really got why the people on Survivor cried so hard when they saw loved ones after 30 days on an island... now I get it. I hadnt seen him for 4 days & was that emotional.

I was a sap when I got home & saw my fur babies.... I think they were equally happy to see me too.

& then the happiness continued when I got in my OWN SHOWER & could lay on my OWN BED.

There really is no place like home.

I thought I'd take a nap or be in bed early... but I actually wasn't too tired or drained. Nothing like I thought I'd be.  Which I'm really happy about.

I did though skip church on Sunday & decided to sleep in - though I was up at 7:30 - so not too bad sleeping in... but I had my own little church playing the worship songs from the weekend on Spotify & reading the scripture we went over during the week... & drinking my OWN DELICIOUS coffee. Not camp coffee.  There's a difference. Truly.

& then it was time to remember in all of this, days pass & its really Sunday & its actually Father's Day. Time to celebrate my daddy!!!

Sorry... this is the "you're 45 years old & hung at middle school camp for 5 days" look

I had gotten him a fitness tracker - especially after the stents being put in his heart - I want him to be able to track his heart rate & check his sleep activity with his sleep apena.  I'm actually proud of myself for thinking of this gift for him.

My dad walking to the barn to check out his heart rate on his fitness tracker

My mom kept saying she thought I grew while I was at camp.... I told her I was like the Grinch.  Except it was my height that grew 5 inches with the fullness in my heart....

It took a bit to get the tracker set up but after getting dad going & hanging out for awhile... its time to get home & get back to real life.

Work.  ugh.

I'd rather be at camp.

Even with puking kids.

How was your weekend?

Did you go to camp when you were little?

What did you do for Father's Day?