As we were driving the down all the different roads today to get to the river for tubing l started wondering what people think when they see six 12 passenger vans driving through their small town.  l then started wondering what people might be thinking when they walk into their Ole country buffet and see 45 HS kids and 9 adults in line ahead of them.  l wonder what people think when we tell these people that we have brought these kids to do service, voluntarily, for a week several hundred miles from home.  And while l thinking about all these people looking in to our group and wondering all this l started wondering if the parents know how great these kids are.  l started wondering if anybody realizes how lucky we as adult leaders are to be able to be on a trip like this with kids like this.  l wondered if people realize what the kids went through all year long to be prepared and do this trip.  l wondered how often the YouthWorks staff that stay at these sites all summer, go overlooked or unmentioned or unappreciated time and time again.  So l thought this the best chance for me to just try and express our appreciation, as the leaders, to the parents of all kids/young adults for all the support they have given.  Us, as adult leaders, thank you very much for letting us take your children and trusting us with them for this week.  We thank you for giving us such great kids to work with and have fun with.  And l hope that you don't wonder about what we did for this last week, but that you will know what happened and know that it was worth every sacrifice made to be here.


We started off our Saturday with a 6:15am wake up call.  The kids were very unhappy that we continued the "no coffee" rule for this morning as well.  Little do they know that tomorrow morning I am making coffee for those that want some because l know it will help make them happier for the last couple hours of the trip- hahaha.  Had some bacon and eggs and fruit for breakfast, did a quick cleanup and then left camp by 7:30 to go tubing.  Arrived at the park and got our tubes and as we were waiting in line for the tram to take us to the drop-in site, it did start raining.  Some kids did realize the rain was no big deal since we were about to jump into a river and after the first 100 yards of tubing the sun started coming out and it turned into a beautiful day.  We went down the river once and came back to the parking lot for burgers and hotdogs.  The option was given to do another half way float and almost everyone went back in, including the adults that didn't want to go the first time.  We finished up at the river and came back for some nap time and then dinner.  Dinner was pulled pork and potato bar with salad.  Finishing up the day with some s'mores and worship and of course some fun.  The kids are getting their phones back tonight and are pretty excited about that, but at the same time don't seem like it's a huge deal that they haven't had their phones for a week.  lt has been great to have their full attention this whole week.

Thank you so much for prayers this week.  l think that patience was present today in both the kids and leaders.  We are all looking forward to seeing families and being back home in our own towns, houses and especially beds.  Just some final prayer requests.......safe travel tomorrow, good rest tonight and prayers of thanksgiving for the past week going so well.


Since l didn't have time this morning and l know ya'll have been on the edge of your seats all day for this, here it is............

POTD
Many things got done
In just one quick week
So many people met
So many places seen
Into the world we'll go
No enemy can stop us now
Going to do our best for God
All memories held close
Together we did the task
Let us follow Him




"Not only am l the smartest person in the world, but l am also an awesome dancer"

So l decided to write this before our evening devotion time so that l could be done before 1130pm at least once this week.  But then these kids pulled out a surprise that l did not expect.  Some of the kids just put together their own worship time for our whole group tonight.  l was sitting there expecting Rick Betteridge to get up and give another great devo but then Shelby stood up for opening prayer and then a group of Mackenzie, Aaron, Gabrielle, Chuck, and Alaina lead us all in music and it sounded incredible.  Scott then stood up and delivered our devo message followed by our closing prayer by Shelby.  Just when we adults think we've see it all our kids surprise us with this.  The just came together after this devo and just said "WOW".  We could not be more proud.


Goodnight to all and see you tomorrow.