Day 4: enlightening

During morning devotion today the students were asked to describe what church is to them...some I saw coming but others alarmed me.

These same descriptions are some of the   major issues as to why some students are leaving the church.

When asked as to "can you be a Christian without going to church?" Most responded with a no. This correlates back to the thinking they have of church.

How can you be part of a family if you don't live in the house; to be a Christian shouldn't you be in his house with the rest of the family?

The post has two meanings. Enlightening to these observations but also true lighting. Rain has begun and has put a delay on afternoon free time. An opportunity for the students to find ways to fellowship and spend time with one another outside of the modern conveniences. What does that mean for the guys? Cards and wresting on their mattresses. For the girls? Facials and mani pedis. Ahh the simple life of camp. Just as it should be.

From the heart of Keith Davis 

Day 3: Refreshing

With a great morning devotion at the flag poll starting the day speaking about not just Talking the talk but walking the walk.

Anyone can talk what to do but do you walk what you say?

I have already been asked by most of the students during breakfast the question of the week so far...

"Are we coming back next year?"

That is a very promising question especially only being on the second full day of camp.

The one worry I had that been taking away...”will they meet new people”...

Every student has met new leaders and other campers. The relationships they are building will last longer then just tomorrow… they will last a lifetime.

I now sit here pondering "are we coming back next year?"

Only God knows that one. But one thing I know is...God is great, He has love for these students and knows the best for them.

From the heart of Keith Davis

Day 2:SEYC- it starts

It has begun. Our drive was smooth. All 9 students made it...just kidding we have all ten and will return with ten. 

Day 2 is already started eventful. The theme plays in so well with "reckless" by Jeremy camp as our anthem for the week. 

The verse comes from Philippians 3:7. For whatever we think we have we give it away for the sake of Christ. 

Being reckless in our standards is much different then being reckless for Christ. Reckless for us is one sided or selfish...being reckless for Christ is selfless. 

All students of course for the first meeting time and such were shy but as I looked out during lunch today every single one of them had connected to another group and were siting with them. It's great to be a sheltered of them but to know that as they connect to different groups, will strengthen the rest of our group. 

As I sit here I'm reminded of how much camp really is. After the worry of how they will enjoy it, whether they will make  a commitment, make a few friends, get something out of it. I know that God has it all in his great loving arms. 

Day 3 tomorrow.

From the heart of Keith Davis 

SEYC

Sweet Keith leaves for SEYC camp in the morning with the Youth.
Praying that they have a wonderful time!!

The GROW room…Part 3

THE PAINT!

The old room colors were just.. BLAH..

It took us two different Saturdays and about 10-15 helpers to complete everything. This was a HUGE room. Keith went through and patched everything first and then we went to town brightening up the room. No more dark drab colors! We had to bring a splash of color with Parakeet Green! We got adventurous and went up on the high lift to help get the top spots of the room. The green really lightened up the room and made it a lot more inviting!

Here are a few pictures of the transformation!

GROW Room… Part 2

Wall ART

 

Since the youth room is so large and the ceilings are soooo tall, we needed lots of artwork to put on the walls.

Aubrey, Deborah and I did most of the artwork. We stayed after many a sunday’s to get stuff finished up for the room.

We of course had inspiration for many things from pinterest! I even made a “grow” board to pin all our ideas to!

http://pinterest.com/kayofthelee37/grow-room/

Another one of our big projects was making wall art out of burlap bags! First, they are a bit hard to find but we ended up finding an awesome website online and getting them for a great deal. We had some broken daycare crib parts at my work and we used them as “stuffing” they acutally worked perfect because they alreadyd had holes drilled into them and we used those to hang them right on the wall.

I also became a stapling queen. Keith got me an awesome staple gun and i only ALMOST shot myself twice! So i was happy about that.

Check out the process from start to finish:

              

 

The GROW room- part 1

Keith and I, along with the help of our youth leaders had spent the past month and a half working on a full over haul of our youth room at meadow. Over the next few posts I will post some pictures of the old vs. the new look of our room.

It was lots of hard work, but it is awesome to see everyone's reactions when they see the new room. I hardly even remember what it used to look at now that it is so much different.

It was lots of long days and long nights but it is so great to see how it all goes together now.

Check out these old pictures from the room. Over the next few posts I will show different projects we created and then of course the final look!!