Obama

Since when is Obama running for President of the World? What's he doing giving speeches in Berlin as if he is running for president of Germany?

Camp at The Wilds, Part 4 - Pictures

Ben and Tim with one of the teen speakers, Mark Herbster.

The girls at the pizza party after "Fun Night!"

Elijah getting ready to ride the "Land Trolley."

The teenagers after our "Family Reunion."

Sterling's first ride on the "Giant Swing." (Notice that Ben is such an "old pro" that he was confident enough to take his camera with him on the ride!)

Camp at The Wilds, Part 4

Last night, Mark Herbster preached an excellent salvation message from Romans 3 - "3 Statements of Absolute Truth." Those truths were...
1. All men are sinners.
2. All men are sentenced.
3. All men can be saved.

This morning, I attended the junior high chapel service. The theme for the entire week has been about the life of Joseph. Matt Herbster continued that theme in this morning's chapel. In his review of the previous day, Matt answered the question, "Why was Joseph promoted?" The answer(s)? 1. Because of his compassionate God. 2. Because of his consistent testimony. 3. Because of his competent leadership. It was an excellent message!

I will be bringing home an MP3 CD that will contain all of the messages from the senior/junior high camp as well as one that contains all the messages from Junior Bootcamp.

This afternoon we had our "Family Reunion" time. That is when each church is able to gather their young people together for a time of testimonies, prayer, etc. We also give them a little treat! (That was the main reason we went to Wal-Mart earlier this week.) I also, since I have my computer here, show them some of the pictures that I have taken throughout the week. Even though they would say they hate all the pictures I take, they always enjoy seeing them!

A highlight today was watching Sterling Dotson ride the "Giant Swing" for the very first time! He was excited.

Everyone is doing well. It is getting to that point in the week where they are all getting a little tired and are looking forward to getting back home to sleep in their in own bed. Mom & Dad, begin to prepare an environment where your child will be able to continue his spiritual growth.

Camp at The Wilds, Part 3 - Pictures

Camp at The Wilds, Part 3

Stephenie and I "slept in" this morning. I got up at 8:30. For that, my punishment was that I missed breakfast!

Stephenie and I went to Junior Bootcamp chapel this morning. Bro. Ron DeGarde preached on "Protecting Your Heart!" He used several passages of scripture but his launching pad was from Ephesians 6 where we are commanded to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Why? To protect our heart!

From there, I followed the Juniors to the Lake for the "Lake Wars." They divide all the Juniors up into 4 different water games that are all going at the same time. After each round, the children switch to a different game so that at the end of 4 rounds they've had the opportunity to participate in each game.

From there we went to the picnic lunch on the ballfield with the teenagers. I was glad for this especially since I missed breakfast.

After lunch, the teenagers got to play one of their favorites - "The Cat In the Hat." We took plenty of pictures and video from that game.

This afternoon the teenagers and juniors are participating in a variety of activities: the land slide, tubing down the creek, the rope swing, hikes to the falls, swim time at the lake, put-put golf, and the list could go on.

All the young people are doing very well. Continue to keep them in your prayers daily! Thanks.

Camp at The Wilds, Part 2 - Pictures Continued

Camp at The Wilds, Part 2

Today (Tuesday)...

I saw The Wilds before the sun came up. (Stephenie and I were up at 5:45 AM in order to get our morning walk in before the day started. I know what some of you are thinking, "Don't you get enough exercise just walking up and down the stairs!?!")

I saw Janna enjoy herself on the Land Trolley.

I saw Michael & Stephen Breeden go down the Landslide. (Very quickly, I might add!)

I saw Lauren and Hannah dive 65 feet on the Giant Swing.

I saw DJ and Andrew getting "crafty" in the Craft Shop.

I saw Travis, Sterling, Jeremiah & Fon Samuel getting wet at the Water Wars.

I saw MacKenzie, Zephany, & Jessica floating down the creek on inner tubes.

All the teens and juniors are doing well. I believe they are getting tired and it's only Tuesday night.

I saw a lot of our teenagers getting "scrambled" at the Scrabble Scramble Game.

Mark Herbster preached on "3 Tremendous Truths for Terrific Teenagers." His text was from Ecclesiastes 12 & 13. Those 3 Truths were/are...

1. Rejoice

2. Remove

3. Remember

(On Saturday, ask your teens to explain those three truths. Hopefully, they were taking notes!)

I'll have more pictures tomorrow! Enjoy! Feel free to pass this blog on to others who might enjoy seeing the young people.

Camp at The Wilds, Part 1

We arrived at camp by 2:30 on Monday afternoon just as the check-in process was beginning. We had absolutely no problems with the bus on the way to camp this year. That was a tremendous relief and blessing. The young people finally settled down after we made our first pit stop about an hour away from Asheville.

Once we got off the interstate in Asheville to begin the trip "up the mountain" the young people once again found their energy. And, when we turned onto Frozen Creek Road (the road that leads to camp), the young people began to shout with excitement.

Check-in went as smooth as it ever has. The young people were handed off to their counsellors without a hitch. Everyone got their luggage. Well, almost... There were only a few pillows left and one toiletry kit left on the bus. Mothers, you'll appreciate this... Two teenagers couldn't find a piece of their luggage. In both cases the item was in sight and I pointed it out to them. In one case, the missing piece of luggage was the only one left sitting on the ground! Now I know how Stephenie feels when she has to "find" something for me that is sitting right in front of me!

A big thank you goes out to Pastor Scott, Mr. Litchfield, and Mr. Christian. Pastor drove "The Ark" (the new, short bus) which was loaded with all our luggage. Mr. Litchfield and Mr. Christian drove behind Pastor Scott in order to drive him back to Charlotte so that he could leave the bus here during the week. they will be coming back up on Saturday morning in order to drive the luggage back down the mountain.

All the young people are doing well. Stephenie and I have "made the rounds" on several occassions in order to "check in" on the teenagers. They all seem to be having a good time.

One of the teen girls came up to me before the evening service and said that she needed to call her mom. When I asked why, she said that she had broken her flip flops and only had her sneakers left. Well, we remedied the situation. Stephenie and I drove into town on Tuesday morning to pick up a few things for the "Family Reunion" time on Thursday. While we were at Wal-Mart, we picked her up a couple of pair of flip flops that were on clearance. Once again, Wal-Mart saves the day!

Matt Herbster preached on Monday night. His text was Proverbs 24:16-17. The title to his message was, "Spiritual Defeat...Deal With It!" It was an excellent message on dealing with spiritual defeat and how that sometimes we get content with spiritual defeat. It was a great way to start the week.

We brought one of the largest groups this year! I'd love to bring over 50 young people next year! Start saving now!

I'll include some pictures with my next post (propably late Tuesday night.)

Vacation!

I took this entire week off so that I could work on some projects around the house:

1. Repair/rejuvinate outdoor table (Still not done with this.)
2. Replace outlets in Mollie's room (Done)
3. Build two book shelves for Mollie's room (Half-way done)
4. Put casing around windows in Mollie's room (Not started)
5. Repair doors of vanity in downstair's bathroom (Half-way done)

Without a garage, I've had to clean-up/put away every afternoon this week because of thunderstorms.

Also, on Tuesday, I spent 2 hours helping Jeremiah cut our neighbor's back yard in order to earn money for camp. Then, on Wednesday, I spent a couple hours cooking lunch for several Duke Energy & Bellsouth workers who have been working in our neighborhood. Again, that was to help Jeremiah earn money for camp.

Stephenie leaves tomorrow to take the younger children to grandma's house while we go to camp next week.

What a vacation...