Valle Crucis - Saturday Morning

This morning, we got up early and got ready, then headed upstairs for breakfast. Here is the sign from the breakfast board this morning. 

After breakfast, we came downstairs for our morning session. We talked about making choices in our lives, and played several fun games about making choices. We played "Let's Make a Deal", where we were offered $1 or the choice of an unknown prize behind one of three doors. We also played "Would You Rather", where we were asked to decide between one of two "interesting" choices (for example, would you rather be really smart or really attractive?) Then, we headed outside and played beach blanket volleyball and gutterball, where we had to work as teams to achieve our goals. After that, we talked about the different pressures that we face regarding making good decisions in our lives. After the conclusion of our morning session, we headed upstairs for lunch and then back down to go to the candy store. We enjoyed visiting the candy store and the Mast General store, and playing outside. Now it's free time, and we're playing games, relaxing, and getting ready to go hike to the waterfall. 

Love,

The 8th Graders (Eryn and Bryson)

Friday night photos

Valle Crucis - Friday Night

Traditionally, we stop on the way up to Valle Crucis for dinner. Tonight, we enjoyed meals from Wendy's, Burger King, and Taco Bell. Then, it's a curvy ride up the mountain to the Valle Crucis conference center. After we arrived and everyone stashed their stuff in the bunks, we talked about guidelines and expectations for living as a community during the weekend. Friday night is relaxing and fun, with lots of games and music. Tonight, we played Toilet Bowl, Heads Up, and a fun game with dice and a tricky wrapped ball of candy and prizes. Then, we introduced our theme for the weekend, "Ignite the Light", and share our scripture, 1 John 1:5 - "God is Light. Our devotion was about how we are like a strand of Christmas lights. We are called to be the light of God in the world, and we are "connected to the source" of our light (God), so that we can continue to shine together. We plug in to our source by coming on retreats, attending UMYF and Sunday School. After devotion, we concluded by having a bonfire and s'mores, and now it's time for lights out!

This is The Day the Lord has Made.....Psalm 118:24

This is the day includes every day. It includes when our child goes back to their home after a long weekend. This is the day includes sending your college age student off for the first time. (Now that one can kick you in the gut.) You have finished the familiar book you have been reading for 18 years. There will be one less plate at the table, voice in the house and child coming in the door. It's hard to believe that God orchestrated this hour. My throat still closes up thinking about it. Surely the Psalmist never sent a child off to college or he wouldn't have penned this verse. And he certainly wouldn't have encouraged us to rejoice and be glad in it.

After re-reading the familiar verse and letting the words sink in, it is a reminder to me that God is in fact in control; and worrying about the "what ifs" sucks the life out of this day. So as I encouraged the youth at prayer breakfast this week; make every day count. Consider bite size pieces of life and make it fun. (I even had to give out miniature candies to sweeten the deal.)

THIS IS THE DAY-make it count and fill it with God!