So here's some of the current random thoughts...as my mind wanders...

As counselors, we know some of the ways that God might use us this week. We are prepared to be with students, hang with them, be there FOR them...yet it's always fun and such a joy when God gives us those "extra" ways to be used. Whether it's a conversation with a student that we may have thought we didn't "connect" with, or a completely fresh view from a speaker, or whatever, always fun to see that we as counselors can grow too :)

Praying for my volunteer staff this week has been such a joy...I love watching them interact and be the true "youth pastors" to the students that are in their direct care...please continue to lift them up for physical strength as the week continues, wisdom as they share into the lives of the students, and patience as Satan tries to attack and break the connections being made by the Holy Spirit

Going to Petco Park today! Gonna see the Padres and KC Royals. A friend of mine here from SD already had pre-purchased our tickets. The Hume/SD staff has been amazing as they've arranged for us to take sack lunches and transportation down to the Stadium! We're going to take the Trolley back to campus after the game, the kids are excited! (Actually we'll take the trolley to Old Town, then take the public bus back to campus...

Tonight is the Youth Pastor's dinner...always a treat to go hang with the leaders from each church and share stories, and encourage each other as fellow youth pastors

Today is "Double Spirit Day"...campers will get extra spirit for dressing up and going crazy with the theme of "Rhinestone Cowboys and Bedazzling Bling"...kind of fun to have a "macho" guy come by last night as I was having a deep conversation with another guy in the dorm and ask me "Hey Troy, do you know where the Bedazzler is??"

Watching the "Spirtual Light go on" just never gets old...to see a young person truly attempt grasp for the first time the love and care of our Abba Father, our Daddy, is humbling and amazing...that's what this pic is about...and his new "brothers" coming around him...

I love seeing the bonding of 30 guys become a brother-hood. There are so many different aspects to camp, but I really think my favorite part is our "all-guy" time back in the dorm lounge right before "lights out" each night...one of the neat things is that Hume/SD's lead counselors have begun to come and hang out with us during that time, cuz they can see God moving

Jamie Smyser was the girls champion in Kajabi-Can-Can yesterday during rec! First time she'd ever played it...the other girls in her group were calling her "A BEAST!" (that's a good thing)

Felt amazing this morning after getting a few hours of sleep, waking up and taking a shower before heading to breakfast and our counselor meeting...only to be told by one of my staff that I looked horrible...lol...age catching up w/ me??

Hoping after rec today as we take the camp picture that we'll be able to get our "traditional" front left spot...it's difficult to hold a spot for 60 people in a sea of over 700

I still occasionally wonder why I get to do this for a living...I'm so blessed...

Tonight is our annual late night Roberto's Mexican Food run....I'll be driving down about 10:00pm for about $150 in food! Nothing like Carne Asada before going to sleep!

TN

I am thrashed! In a good way, a very, very good way :)

I'm in need of sleep in a deep way, so I'm going to try and make it short, but meaningful :)

Morning Chapel this morning...Tuesday mornings are typically "Missionary Morning" at camp...my prayer many times is that 1) the kids get something tangible to take home, 2) the speaker will be able to relate and communicate effectively with the students 3) the speaker won't be boring (sorry if that's harsh, just keeping it real) A lot of times a Missionary speaker might have trouble relating to teens is because the message revolves around making students feel guilty, or not realizing the COMPLETELY different place American teens are in: They are brought up with "The American Dream", and then a strange missionary comes in and tells them to leave everything, live in the poorest possible places and trust God. A difficult task indeed.

But today was different. The Speaker (Luke Everett, www.ranchosordomundo.org) is simply the best (BY FAR) Misisonary speaker I've ever heard. He's actually easily in the top 10 of speakers I've ever heard, period. Please take a couple minutes to check out his site, I hope to take a group of students there SOON! He's deaf, and he leads an amazing ministry to the deaf children of Mexico.

For free time today, over half the team went out on a service project. We repainted the parking lot lines for a church at one of the biggest intersections in San Diego. Lots of people honking and waving. Apparently this church has been somewhat Stagnate in their faith, so for the commuinity to see the change is already paying huge dividends.

Tuesday nights are typically "Decision Night". Long story way too short (but my eyes are literally closing as I'm typing, so sorry if there are typos), 4 decisions to follow Christ that I know about. Two of them, very first time decisions to trust the Lord with the rest of their lives!!!!!!!!

I can't share their names yet, as I want to be respectful of giving them the opportunity to talk to a parent first.

I'm hoping tomorrow (after we get back from the PADRE GAME!!) to post a blog of simply my random thoughts, no really explanations or long paragraphs...

Good Night, GOD IS SOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!

TN