Youth Ski Trips

There were many church youth groups in Gatlinburg while we were there this past weekend. I had the opportunity to meet a few people from these groups while we travelled the ski lift together. I met a few kids from Columbia/Irmo. So today I was checking out a blog I like in San Francisco and there was a live feed alert from Wagener suggesting other SC blogs. So I followed that link and found a blog post called "Youth Ski Trip 09", so I followed it to see if it would take me back to this blog, to see if it was referring to our youth ski trip.

It wasn't. It was someone from another youth group that went on the same trip we did. Click here to go to that blog.

Youth Ski Trip, '09

We just returned from our Youth Ski Trip to Gatlinburg, TN.
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Billy did a study on "The Tough Sayings of Jesus." Tom, Will and Raymond led the Praise & Worship. It was very powerful. I will say more about that in another, upcoming post.

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We all (35 of us) had a great time and got along well.

There were no legendary fights and no monumental injuries.

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Christie had everything planned out expertly, no time was wasted and nothing was below expectation.

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The youth were well behaved in the restaurants.

The chaperones were well behaved in public.

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Christie took a lot of photos. I mean a LOT.

She even outdoes me.
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We spent a few hours at an arcade. You'll have to read about that on my personal blog in an upcoming post. I definitely have a few things to say about that day.

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And of course, we went skiing. Well. Tom and I did. The others went snow-boarding. We are old school.

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See the top photo for some of the snowboarders and how well they mastered the craft.

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We popped into a Hollywood Star Cars Museum. Now that was interesting. Here are a few of the youth in the Flintstones' Flintmobile. That's Will Rutland with the orange hair. That orange hair was a big help identifying him on the ski slopes.

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Several of the group also went ice skating.

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Here's a wild picture of Joey. I didn't see the skating since I was out on the slopes, but I think he got in the upright position at some point.
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Then there was the afternoon of car racing.

That was.... well.... let's say "competitive."

Fierce.


Connie, Doug and Tom especially got caught up in it. Connie was, well, kicked off the course actually.

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Jackie & I thought it was too cold and not a whole lot different than our normal afternoon drives so we didn't last long.

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Doug really surprised me. I never saw this side of him. The side where he really, really wants victory over the kids.
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Here's my only non-blurry picture of Connie. Don't let the innocent "grandma on a Sunday drive" look fool you.

Our youth group is absolutely a joy to be around. Well mannered, loving towards each other, a great sense of humor and a deep interest in knowing God.

Facebook & The Christian

Here are some great comments about the Christian aspect of Facebook and online social networking. "Redeeming Social Life Online" by Justin Buzzard of Central Peninsual Church in California. Justin pastors a ministry to twenty-somethings in the San Francisco area in which they focus on reaching the community. This article was an extension of his original article, "Thinking Biblically about Facebook."

I encourage all of you on Facebook to read these. Enjoy!

The Encounter

What night! We had over a 100 youth in attendance! God is good! We had music, testimonials, drama performances, and message from Pastor Todd Cook.

Youth BBQ Fundraiser

Thanks to all who helped!

The BBQ fundraiser was a big success. We sold 450 plates. Almost everybody who worked did 9 hours or more. Volunteers from all ages helped out.

It was such a blessing to be out in the community and visit with so many people. Tyler Brothers were having their Big Christmas Sale, so the town was packed.

The guys started cooking at 4:00 a.m. I took them my famous Monkey Bread around 6:30 while Jackie, Brielle and Kelsy cooked them a hearty breakfast around 7.
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Many of the youth were there that early, too, and our adult volunteers showed up soon after.
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Several of the youth rode bikes around town and sold more tickets and advertised the cookout.

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We have such a great church family, I love to watch the youth, they are changing so much. I love seeing them around town at non-church events. I love it when they give me a hug or a huge hello.
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I love seeing the adults and senior adults mingle with the teenagers. I don't think all churches are like that. I really think we have a special homestyle family feel.

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I love how we can count on each other & we help each other & socialize & have fun.
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I hope the teenagers take this with them throughout their lives into other churches and other communities. I hope they fondly remember these days, too, much as I remember the church of my youth and childhood.

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Finally it was show time. We were ready to rock. Our first dinners were served early, I think it may have been 10:30.

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Marj missed out. She was across the street working at Tyler Brothers. Several others were there, too, or working at the Pig.

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Connie shared the love with Oscar Rushton from Salley Baptist. With Jackie's Famous Barbecue Sauce all over his face, Oscar vowed revenge one day. I am so looking forward to that.
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Us being such good people and all, you know, we even made deliveries.
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Right around this part of the day, Mrs. Mae Busbee brought two of her homemade, piping hot pecan pies. Well, as soon as they were priced, I purchased one & I hightailed it out of there. I went to the Dolla General, bought a cold can of whipped cream, sped to my house and got me a big ol piece. (trust me, it's there somewhere) I left everybody down there working hard and I took me a Yum-O break. Yes, I did... but you know what . . .
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. . . I so wasn't the only one NOT working. Does Billy look like he's working here??
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. . . & how about these two . . .

Does this look like work?

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. . . Okay, now, this one looks like she might have done some work.


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These guys did a lot of heavy lifting and hauling.

There are so many of you that I didn't get pictures of. The problem with taking pictures is that you will always leave some people out. I will try to be more diligent next time. Thank you to ALL who helped, there are so many more not pictured here.

The money raised from the fundraiser will go towards the next youth trip.

- Valerie

Youth Sumo Wrestling

It's been a big weekend -- Light the Night, 5th Quarter, Last Home Football Game, Steak Dinner Bonfire, and Sumo Wrestling.

A few of you wrestled and I didn't get the photos or it was too dark and the photos didn't turn out, sorry.

Now.... for the videos:

SUNDAY EVENING MINISTRIES from 6:00 to 7:00

WHAT IS MISSION FRIENDS? A place for preschoolers, birth through kindergarten, where they become aware of God's love, and they learn that others need to hear about this good news! They are involved in learning, praying, giving, and doing missions, also learning of missions work in North America and throughout the world. Each month, preschoolers learn about a missionary in a different place. Led by Mrs. Tina Summers.

WHAT IS GIRLS IN ACTION (GA)?
Led by Mrs. Jennifer Smith, GA is a comprehensive missions education program, for girls in grades 1-6, which includes praying for missions, engaging in missions action and witness, learning about missions, developing spiritually toward a missions lifestyle, participating in the work of the church and denomination, and supporting missions. Through participation in GA, girls grow in their knowledge, understanding, and application of the Bible. They also learn from the example of missionaries, believers, and hands-on mission action what it means to actively engage in ministering to others with the compassion of Christ.

WHO ARE ROYAL AMBASSADORS?
A Royal Ambassador (RA) is a boy in grades 1-6 committed to living out the RA Pledge. This pledge is part of personal and chapter (group of RAs) accountability. Led by Mr. Jihnny Harrison, Royal Ambassadors (RAs) is a Bible-centered, church-based, Southern Baptist mission education organization for boys in grades 1-6. The RA Motto, "We are Ambassadors for Christ," not only gives the organization its name, but also gives the boys and leaders a lifestyle goal. This motto is taken from Scripture, specifically 2 Corinthians 5:20.