So much to say, and I don't know where to start...

I was gonna talk about all the "awesome" rec we had today, including a bunch of our kids in the great Kajabi-Can-Can

I was gonna talk about the "amazing" time at the beach and riding waves

I was gonna post pictures of the whole day...

I was gonna talk about how much I was anticipating what the Lord would do tonight at the evening chapel...Tuesday night's meeting...typically known as "Decision Night"

But as I sit here in absolute awe of God, with tears streaming down my face, I am humbled and blessed to say that none of what I planned to talk about compares to the love and mercy of God through his Son, and my Savior Jesus Christ!

"Awesome" is getting to pray with a young man whose one of the first ones to get out of his chair and go sit on the steps of the stage by himself as he's balling and weeping with the understanding of how much God loves him.

"Amazing" is seeing a young lady that I've prayed for well over 1,000 times (not an exaggeration) in the 6 years I've known her be completely broken for the first time in a long time, and maybe ever...

The best picture I can give you is whatever vision God puts in your head right now, as you read this, as you imagine what it must have looked like to see dozens, hundreds, of young people sitting on the floor in front of and all around the stage; some laughing with a joy of Christ that they can't explain, some weeping with a sense of purpose, forgiveness, brokenness, healing, and love from a DADDY (Abba Father) for the very first time, or maybe the deepest they've ever felt it....

The anticipation that I was so excited about all day, while I believe was a genuine sense of God giving my heart a sneak preview, was so far short of what HE did tonight. At the end of our speaker's (Brad Bell, thank you for praying for him!) message, he gave students an opportunity to stand up, and come forward for those that wanted to place their faith and trust in Christ for the very first time. Not an easy thing for teens to do, but they came. Including at least 3 of our own students! As counselors we'd been asked to come up on the stage and sit with our kids that were making those decisions...and as I did, I lowered my head and began to pray for the two guys I was sitting with, with my arms around them. After a bit, the speaker started talking to Christians, those that were like the seeds in the parable of the sower, the ones that had committed their lives to Christ, but were getting choked out by weeds, bearing no fruit. And so I began to pray for our students, which made up the majority of the 60 that came with us. And I could never have anticipated what my eyes saw when I opened them. Our church has been taking up the first 6 rows or so of one of the 4 sections in the chapel for each meeting. When I looked up at the section, "anticipating" a few empty seats, what I saw was a bunch of EMPTY SEATS! Most of our students were sitting on the floor in front of the stage! Parents, your prayers for your kids are being heard, and answered by our Daddy! I encourage each of you to listen to your students as they talk about what God is doing in their lives.

Go to sleep tonight with the knowledge that God is working, there is a HUGE party in Heaven tonight, and we still have 3 more days of camp for God to stay at it!!

Good night...no....GREAT NIGHT!

I can't believe what I get to do for a living...

God Rulz!

Day One (Monday):

Got up at about 6:30..got cleaned up and headed for "Dawn Patrol", an optional worship time with the band "unplugged" before breakfast. After some eggs, a banana, and plenty of juice, we were off to the morning meeting. First time we got to worship with 330Plan where we really experienced the power and presence of God through their leading and the morning message...After that we had Recreation out on the track...pure craziness and fun competitions...one batch of our kids is in 2nd place after day one...but it's after Thursday that counts! Free time was a bit of a challenge, didn't go to the beach as planned. Not nearly enough shuttle buses running to the beach. There was a transportation goof up on the part of the college (not Hume's fault) and we've been assured the problem will be fixed tomorrow. But as I twittered earlier, still had a blast right here on campus. The evening meeting was simply one of the best I've ever been to as a Youth Pastor. The worship was awesome, the message was clear, and then more worship. At the end of that, they had us break into church groups for about 20 minutes. And here's what made it great...I asked the kids to use just a couple words or sentences to share one piece they got out of the evening meeting, and let me just say...THEY ARE TOTALLY UNDERSTANDING THE THEME AND POINT OF THIS YEAR'S CAMP! Praise GOD! It's all about getting the look OFF of ourselves, and directing our energy and everything we're doing towards GOD...that HE ALONE should be the reason we exist, and want to exist. After that we had some free time before calling it a night, and I had an awesome discussion with 3 of our girls about some of those deep life questions: How old will we be in Heaven? Will we recognize each other? Where will it be? Will we get bored? And many, many more. The conversation was over an hour and a total blessing because young people are wanting to know more about their God! Alright...that's the quick summary today...I'll try to post a video of some sort before dinner tomorrow night. Please be praying for tomorrow night's meeting, lifting up our speaker, BRAD BELL, as he prepares to give the Gospel. Pray that God would use him to lead many young people into an eternal relationship with Christ! I'm confidant and humbled to say that this time tomorrow, eternity will be different because we will have new brothers and sisters in Christ! AMEN!

God Rulz!