This morning after breakfast and then worship, we got to meet as a church in one of our favorite lawn areas...I usually like to use that time to have the students share a little bit about what God's doing in their heart week, some challenges they'll face, and even just some of the fun, goofy stuff that's gone on...it's easily one of my favorite parts of the week as it's a totally volunteer time, nobody is forced to share, yet most do...

A little side-note...during the chapel I had Rusty go up on the stage as the "Youth Pastor Representative" of the church, so he could get cheered for...we don't have the largest group here, but you'd have never known it by the way they went nuts for Rusty The Intern (aka..."RTI")...I'm really proud of that young man, God's using him in big ways in our youth ministry and the kids love him...If I could suggest that you let RTI know how much you appreciate him, I think that would be a great thing!

After the lawn area time, it was back to the dorms to change for rec...and rec today was just simply over the top...



Today was The AMAZING GREAT RACE which covered the whole campus of the college...imagine if you will, about 400 people, split into 8 teams. Each team is linked like a snake by holding hands and having to go back and forth to different stations and complete the assigned tasks given to them...click the video below to find out what Mr. Woolery's task was...




After Rec, it was another great lunch and then down to the beach...today was a little different as we checked the kids out past the assigned "final" lifeguard tower and did some shopping and general "san diego touristy type stuff"...one cool think the Allens are on vacation down here and we were able to meet up with them for the 2nd time this week and Lauren went with us!

Then it was back to dinner, a BBQ out on the lawn...and then we actually had some free time before dinner...but I cheated, Dennis and I stopped at a local taco shop (authentic SD Mexican food, it's sad how much better it tastes than anything in the AZ)

Dennis had a carne asada burrito and some rolled tacos...I went with the old standby that never fails me...the "TN Special"...(a carne asada burrito, and a quesadilla with Guac...try it sometime and text me when you do...right now that club is 4 strong and growing)

Tonight could be a bit squirley, always seems to get that way on the last night of camp...but there should also be a pretty sweet time in the chapel and then "Victory Circle", an all camp share time about what God has done this week...pretty awesome thing, Victory Circle...last year seems there were bugs, or birds or something pretty distracting, hoping that doesn't happen tonight!

Our plan is to get most things packed tonight, load before breakfast and then spend one last time as a church taking a great pic and then spending some time with our "Paper Plate Awards"...ask your student about it...they're kind of special to me, and lots of fun...

From there we'll load up and head down to the beach for at least 2 baptisms in the ocean! What a perfect way to end the week! There may be a couple more the students are still going through the evaluation process...pray that God would answer any questions and calm any fears about being baptized :)

This might be the last blog from camp, I'll try to do one more before crashing in my bed when I get home tomorrow :) Then I'll rest Saturday and do it all over again with high schoolers starting Sunday! (btw, after coming home nextfriday from SH Camp, we leave the next Tuesday for 9 days in Jamaica on a mission trip...

I hope you've enjoyed the updates, it's been fun to do them! :)

So here we're halfway thru camp already...hard to believe...it's going so fast...

Last night was decision night and I know I asked you all to pray...God WORKED! more on that in a bit...as I want it to be the hi-light of what happened yesterday :


Here's the Andrew update...(bloody nose during rec)...he's totally fine...no swelling, not even a black eye...after he put on the ice pack he was pretty hungry so we skipped the camp picture (first one I've ever not been in-Andrew gave me a new memory!) and I got us into lunch early...he pounded a couple of quesadillas and some pizza...so my early fears of having to rush him to Urgent Care were quickly subsided...the nurse said it was one of the best bloody noses she's ever seen! Atta boy!



The kids are having an absolute blast throughout the day...from the morning chapel to rec, from free time to evening chapel...the days are full and complete, and God is working!

The worship was excellent last night and PJ brought the Gospel in a fresh way...



Here's the sweetest part of the day...


Six students made a decision to completely follow Christ! PJ talked about the difference between there is between "believing stuff about Jesus" and "believing IN Jesus"...great stuff, and I've already asked his permission to plagiarize it!

When I stop to think about the fact that Heaven is a different place today, because these 6 (and many others!) made a decision to follow Christ last night, it's overwhelming. I've got goose bumps sitting here thinking that "forever" has been altered, the future has literally changed course because there will be more people in heaven now then at this time yesterday...

I think we use the word AWESOME way too much: "That movie was awesome! That dinner was awesome! That trip was awesome!"

You know what's awesome? God is AWESOME!

Be blessed today! I know I will be!