I can't seem to stay away...

 I find myself back here this morning...because, though my body is back in Lancaster, so much of my heart is still sitting back in Kentucky with our students.  I woke thinking of them and praying that transition for them is easier than it is for me.  God always blesses me with the ability to be fully present each time I go on a missions trip, conference or retreat with our youth...while still my top priority, "home" is left there for just a little while.{Alex, Nick and Emma...you still matter MORE!!!}  This year I left behind an impending move and all that it entails in the next few days...I barely even thought about the fact that I'd have my head in boxes and cleaning....I forgot all about the fact that I had to work out Alex's student loan information...forgot about the bills that were waiting for me to get home...forgot about the fact that I'm still looking for a job....for one blissful week, my focus shifted from resonsiblility at home to responsibility with our students.  But now I'm back...and all those things are staring impatiently in my face!

So...I figure if these things are battling me, probably they are doing the same for our other leaders and students too.  I'm hoping they all had the ability to sleep in like I did...not sure I'm caught up...we estimate the leaders had about 3-4 hrs of sleep each night. 

{Picture courtesy of Amber Jacoby Photography}

Like I said the other day, it's hard to get right back into things when your heart has been focused in another area...when you've heard great teachers and music and encouragement for 5 straight days.  For that reason, my day is paced slowly and worship music is blaring in the background.

I'm excited to see the kids again at the end of the week.  I'm so encouraged to see that the Lord is working in each of them...and I'm praying they'll keep letting Him.  Often after a conference like this the enemy likes to put his dirty mitts in the middle of our stuff and twist us all up with distraction.  I'm praying that while the kids get back into their schedules and real life that they will be on guard and aware the the enemy would like to use busyness and people to shift their focus off of what God has been doing in them and RUN the other direction before he digs in. 

Students...keep both feet in the fight towards becoming all that God is laying out for you.  Pursue Him continually.  Invite Him to be a part of every corner of your life.  Ask Him tough questions...and let Him answer. Never stop running towards Him and the things that are close to His heart.

 Listen. 

Worship.

Be amazed. 

Holly, Rob, Steve, Kim and I are so proud of each one of you.  We see possibility and anticipate great things in your futures.  You've been set apart for God's use...we pray you will allow Him to lead you forward...

Saturday evening...

I'm not sure where to start this post...the last 2 hours have been a bit of a whirl...and alot emotional around here.  And I'm not sure I can articulate clearly why...but I'll try.

There's been alot of things brewing through the hearts of our students this week.  Some of them have brewed silently, and a few have spoken to some leaders about the thoughts they've been having and the things that the Lord has been speaking into them.  Our group discussion before dinner was the beginning of something good happening among us.  The kids felt a real freedom to share their hearts and open up in front of each other.  Holly asked them if they'd be willing to share what God has been doing throughout the week...and here's some of their responses:

"I am beginning to realize how big God's love for me is"

"God understands my pain"

"We're at war and we need to be prepared"

"I need to let Jesus live through me so my friends will know that I love Him"

"I know what I should be doing...I just need to do it"

"I'm trying to wrap my head around my faith-and my eyes are being opened"

We felt a sense that the LORD has been working among us all week...and He has.

During the closing ceremony this evening we had a time of worship and celebration for the way the Spirit has moved among us and done His work to draw us closer to Himself.  We were challenged by Jason Ostrander to continue on in the things that God has been speaking to us and allow Him to finish His work.  He then extended an invitation to those who had made salvation decisions throughout the week to stand and be welcomed into the Kingdom of God.....all over the arena students stood to their feet and were cheered on and clapped for.  It was a really moving moment.

Afterwards Jason invited those who have been wrestling God this week over a call to ministry- whether it is full-time or part-time- to stand in commitment to this call.  There was movement around every corner of the room as students stood, some before he had even finished speaking, and others almost reluctantly-as if continuing to wrestle.  Four of our own students were among those who made commitments to ministry of some sort.  Three of them stood to obey a call to pursue missions and one to a call towards music ministry.  It's hard to explain the feelings and emotions among our group...hard to put into words from my perspective, too.  Nick was among those who stood, and watching him struggle to obey God tugged at my mother heart...it brought back to me thoughts of so many Missions Festivals when I have repeatedly given each of my kids back to the Lord to use as He sees fit.  Nick's heart has always been tender towards mission work..and yet he's struggled throughout the week to distinguish his voice from the God's.  And, even up to the moment he stood was sure that he wasn't going to stand...in his words,

"Mom, I wasn't going to stand...I didn't want to, it scares me...but even though I didn't want to, without thinking about it, I was standing."

That same story was repeated in several of the kids.  THAT's what God has been up to this week...and so much more.  Remember our earlier prayer for unity?  God is doing a new thing in that regard, too.  As often happens with our groups, living together 24/7 can do lots of things; it can cause friction and frustration...but it can also cause friendship.  I'll be honest, I think we had a fair share of the first two earlier in the week, but as the week has progressed, it's been a really neat thing to see the kids learn to love each other and encourage each other.  I've seen it happen after previous LIFE Conferences, and I had hope that it would happen again with this group. 

 God has been really good to us this week.  I can't tell you how sweet it has been to watch the progression of each student throughout the last few days.  Every one of them has had a new root planted in them...for some it was more obvious and clear, and for others it was another step towards understanding God.  For us leaders it has been a great thing to watch.

Parents, I KNOW you would be so proud to see your kids this week.  We agreed that it's a privilege to have been allowed to spend this week with them.  We're ready to head back...but it has been a wonderful time for every one of us. 

So, here's the schedule for tomorrow morning:

We plan to pull the bus out of the parking lot at 6am {yikes, 4 1/2 hours from now!} we will travel a few hours so the kids can sleep, stop for a late breakfast, travel some more, have a late lunch, a potty break, and hopefully will be home around 8pm. 

*Pray that Rob and Steve get the rest they need in the next few hours...they're emotionally drained from meeting with a few of the boys this evening to talk about commitments made, etc. 

*Pray for safety as we travel

*Pray that we would transition well to our regular schedules

Can I also give you a heads-up about something else? A warning, I suppose, your kids have had a really exceptional week.  They've had some freedom to be {somewhat} independant from you this week, they've heard alot of messages, they've learned alot of new things, and they've lost alot of sleep!  For that reason, I'd like to encourage you to hold back on questioning and probing them about their week for a day or two.  I can tell you only from my experiences that there is a sort of low that you go through when you walk back into your life after being in a "Jesus bubble" for a week.  Real life is hard, and it's not easy re-entering it.  Please be patient and let them process...in time they will be ready to spill out everything, but it may take a while.  As an adult it's still difficult for me to go right back into mom roll - and I know that it'll be even more difficult for them.  You've got great kids...in time they will process their thoughts and begin to share.

thanks again for letting the leaders serve your kids this week...we love what we do!

Saturday morning...

We all woke with bittersweet thoughts about this being our last day of LIFE.  On one hand, it's been such a great week of living in a totaly "Jesus bubble" and it's been great....and on the other hand, it's time to get home-back to reality and get on with summer.  {And, some of us are kind of missing our families!}

The day started like all the rest...by meeting at 7am for breakfast.  {*Note to parents:  Just thought you should know your kids are REALLY good at getting up before 7am, showering  and sitting at the breakfast table before 7:30 on a summer day}  Our first session included a parade of nations with all of the home assignment missionaries.  The kids gave them a standing ovation that lasted for several minutes...We also had communion together....all 7,000 of us...and took an offering for the Great Commission Fund...it was an AWESOME morning!

After the session, we split up to go to small seminar groups, then met back together for lunch.  Right now we're all crashed out at the hotel...napping or playing games or just sitting around and chatting.  We all needed some down time before we meet at 4 for some group time and then back to the arena for dinner and the closing ceremony.

Please continue to pray for all of us as we finish out this evening. 

 We want to finish well and continue to hear God's voice.

...back again later for pictures and information about our departure tomorrow morning...

A few pictures....

Again...I'm too tired to think.  We started our day at 5:45 and are finally settled in the hotel at 11:52.  WE'RE BEAT!!!  Sorry, I'm opting for a quick post and getting some sleep.

Today is Nathan Staherski's 15th birthday...

he celebrated with a box of Swiss Roll Cakes!

Nick, Kyle and Jared hanging out at the band booths...

{with Bradley Hathaway}

{with Trace Bundy}

{stealing a picture behind Logan Martin}

{poser}

I didn't take alot of pictures, but it was another great day with the kids.  We continue to have some really interesting speakers and worship times and I believe there is some stirring in the hearts of some of the kids.  It's been really neat to see the kids so eager to choose seminars to attend and hear them processing the information afterwards.  As leaders, we spent some time together praying for one student who is wrestling with the possibility that God is calling them into ministry in the future...we are so excited to watch some progression in this student and see their hesitation and fear turn to curiosity and possible openess. 

So much of the talks this week have been on listening to what God has to say about how we should live and then doing those things.  I pray these messages will be forever embedded into the hearts of the students and their faith will become part of every corner of their lives.   We've heard testimony from several former LIFE attendees who have made about-face changes in their lives after LIFE and are now living lives completely sold-out to Christ.  The students have been told over and over this week that following God may mean alot of hard choices.  It may mean doing something you're not comfortable doing, giving something up you don't want to or loving someone who is impossible to love.  They've heard that God likes us to be in impossible situations for the sole purpose that He would be glorified when we give up our will to follow His. 

The night ended with a missions theme and a call to offer our help to Alliance projects in need.  The Alliance Youth Project offering is going to be taken tomorrow morning and the kids were left with a challenge to give  what they can and see what great things the LORD will do with it.

Oh! I almost forgot.  The group of 6,500 people in the arena made it in the Guiness World Records.  We played the largest game of Rock, Paper, Scissors ever recorded.  Funny!

My eyes are closing as I type...no sign of making up that lost sleep anytime soon!

Tomorrow is our last day here.  It's a pretty packed with activities and speakers and fun.  We're all thoroughly enjoying the week, but I think we'll be ready to head back home when the time comes. 

For now, GOOD NIGHT...

{back again tomorrow if I get a chance!}

Thursday with Derwin..

So..part of the problem of having such a full schedule is that I don't get a chance to sit here until late at night, and then I'm too tired to have complete thoughts.  BUT...if I had all my wits about me, I would share about how awesome our speaker, Derwin Gray, was this morning.  He spoke about the incarnation of God.  How He came down so that we could have relationship with Him.  He talked about how God is our relentless pursuer and how He wants to be the One who we get our worth from. 

"Don't surrender your Divine Birthright to other people's opinions and plans for you"

"You are my treasured possession"

"You are a chosen people"

Derwin challenged the kids not to underestimate the power that they have to change the world around them.

"God's objective for young people is this: that they are ambassadors to this world and HE wants to change the world through them."

Derwin also shared the deep love God has for each of us and His desire for our lives to collide with His.  You can't imagine how it looks to see over 6,500 teenagers bending their bodies forward to listen intently to this man speak.  He challenged the kids in some very practical ways. 

We also enjoyed some great worship music, as well as poetry by Bradley Hathaway

The afternoon was spent at the Louisville Slugger Stadium, where we enjoyed a concert by the band, "Kutless", dinner, and a baseball game.  During the middle of the 5th inning we were called on to do a little dance that all 6,500 of us have been working on all week.  Just a few minutes ago Joe Burchill called to say that our "dancing" had made it on the News!  It had to have been over 100 degrees outside, but it really was alot of fun!

Kutless

A bunch of kids ate HUGE sno comes to cool off...

Anyway, if I had my thoughts together...or maybe if I just had a tiny bit more sleep, then I could tell you story after story about the ways the kids have been getting along and enjoying being together. These really are some great kids, and I believe they are being challenged and transformed.

The song playing in the background is one of the songs we've been singing all week, it is another message of God's greal LOVE for us. 

Before I go...two short messages to the kids I left at home...

ALEX:

I didn't get much of Trace Bundy's performance, but here's a little clip for you!

{It won't download!!!!!  Sorry, Alex, here's a picture instead...}

Emma...

It's possible...MAYBE I bought this shirt for you. 

I thought it was cute...and a little funny!

{Miss you guys...thanks for keeping things together at home!}

I'm off to bed...the other leaders have beaten me to it!

Wednesday morning...

A quick look at our day so far...

starting the day out with worship

{The Logan Martin Band}

Opening session w/ Francis Chan

{love him!}

FUN in the Activity Room

Janae bungie jumping

Isaiah and Austin in the sumo suits!

Heather, Janae, Holly and Kim

Our first large group session:

I thought you would enjoy a glimpse of our first session before we head off to bed for some much needed sleep...you'll probably need to stop the music that is playing in the background first. 

WARNING:  this is LOUD....but if we sat through it, you can too!

The evening ended with the CM&A President, Gary Benedict giving us a blessing, asking the LORD to work for us, in us and through us during the week.  We met as small groups to discuss the evening and pray together...and now we're heading to bed! 

More to come tomorrow...

Good night!

we've arrived!

After a VERY long ride with VERY little sleep among us, we have FINALLY arrived safely. 

After a time of prayer, we posed and

anxiously awaited departure...

the bus ride went smoothly- lots of sleeping, laughing, and fun!

We awakened to a beautiful sunrise and headed to Cracker Barrel for an EARLY breakfast...

{waiting...}

{and waiting...}

{LARGE sodas for breakfast!}

{Plates of carbs...gravy, grits and biscuits!}

We're off to a good start...ready for things to get off the ground in about two hours.  There's a sense of excitement among the kids--and many of them are at the LIFE Store as I type spending MONEY...prepare for loads of tshirts and sweatshirts to be coming your way soon!

Thanks for your prayers for safety...

Continue to pray for unity and open hearts for each student...

Loading up and heading out

In 23 hours we will be well on our way to Kentucky.  I have a HUGE list of things waiting for me to do in the morning...but for tonight, I'm going to bed with this thought on my mind:

She just said what I'm praying each student will be able to say after this week...a prayer uttered from their gut- a surrender of self and an invitation to allow nothing to be off limits to the LORD.  I believe that is God's heart for these students too...and I believe it can happen.

I woke up with LIFE on my mind...

like so many other times in the last few days, I woke up thinking about our trip next week, and especially our group of students. {they are never far from my mind...is that weird?} During my quiet time this morning I spent some time thinking about some of the relationships that our students have with each other, and that was the topic of my prayer time....I looked at my list of individuals and marveled at how awesome each of these kids are.  They are so unique!  Their personalities come flying out on and you don't have to spend too much time with any one of them but that you've got them pegged....and put them in a group together....they are hysterical!  But, sometimes personalities don't mesh easily and there becomes a division of groups among them. 

So, here's my thoughts on this this morning.  I'm praying for unity among these kids.  I'm praying that the LORD would begin a good work of connecting this group as one body.  Not just by appearance, but thoroughly through each heart. Freshman with seniors and girls with guys.  I'm praying that the guys would accept and encourage one another...that they would also have patience with the girls {even IF, dare I say, there may be a little drama throughout the week...it could happen}.  I'm praying that the girls would encourage and embrace each other...that they would appreciate the differences in personality and really love each other with a Christ-like love {AND not get totally annoyed with the crazy ways boys communicate and express themselves...it's going to happen...no doubt in my mind, I live with teenage boys.}  I'm praying that not only will there be an overhaul of individual hearts, but that there will also be an overhaul of the group collectively.  And that by the end of the week, after spending 24 hours together, each individual student will see the others the way God does.

Among these students is great potential.  There are musicians, artists, athletes, scholars, comedians and more...individually they are something else.  I pray that together they would be even more powerful for God.  I believe HE is working out some pretty awesome things for this youth group.  I see it happening and I'm anticipating that the week ahead of us will mesh personalities, cause them to see each other with God's eyes and begin to really unify them as ONE group, instead of several.  I know it can happen...because I believe it is God's heart for them.

As individual believers we can be strong in this world, but put an army of other believers behind us and our strength grows immeasurably.  That's what I want for each of these students...I want them to know that they always have a group that has their back and will walk beside them throughtout these difficult teenage years.  I believe in their ability to be that group...and I'm anticipating that GOD is in the process of working to make that happen even in the coming week. 

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity..."

Colossians 3:14

So, if you wake up with LIFE on your mind...please pray for us.  Pray that each student would come with open hearts and be moldable.  Please pray for the leaders to give wise counsel throughout the week...to give an atmosphere of openness so that the students will free to share and express themselves, if need be.  There's no doubt in my mind that there will be ALOT of laughter and fun throughout the week- we thoroughly enjoy this group- but more than anything, we hope that every single student will arrive home more in love with Jesus and each other than the day they stepped on the bus...

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement

 give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus..."

Romans 15:5

8 days, people!

In 8 days and two hours we will be pulling out of the church driveway with a busload of 23 students, 23 suitcases, 23 carry-ons, and 5 leaders {and probably 5 cups of coffee}. 

 We're excited and ready to go! The students have been looking forward to LIFE for about a year...some of them for three years, since they attended the last LIFE Conference and spent an unforgettable week in Orlando, Fl.  I hear it's just about as hot in Kentucky these days, so for those who missed out on Orlando, you'll possibly get a taste of it when you walk out the hotel doors in KY.  It's funny, I think the leaders are just about as excited for the trip as the students are- I'm not exactly sure how to interpret that...either we are crazy or we really, really love spending time with these kids...or both.  

As an adult I know that it takes preparation to really get the most out of these conferences.  Scores of people have been working behind the scenes at Life Impact Ministries to set this conference into full swing.  And as far as conferences go, my experience has been that the LIFE conferences are done with excellence.  There is a permanent vision in my head of the last LIFE conference...it goes like this:

5,ooo teenagers

a dark arena

worship music

communion

glow sticks

 It was an unforgettable evening...

I'm also aware that it's not enough for all of the people behind the scenes to be preparing and working...all of us who are attending have a responsibility to prepare, too.  We can show up Tuesday afternoon ready to be entertained and taught, and I'm pretty sure that will happen.  But, if we really want to be changed and renewed, then we have a part to play, too.

To the students:

The time is almost here.  I know you're excited to start packing at the end of the week.  I know you can't wait to spend a week w/out your siblings {and dare I mention your parents?}.  I know you've been waiting all year for this trip- some of you have even mentioned to me that you are really looking forward to seeing what God wants to teach you during LIFE.  Some of you are hoping God is going to say something BIG to you that will help you change the direction you are going in.  I hear a desire to follow God...and alot of depending on the speakers and worship leaders to get you to listen to Him.

I couldn't help thinking of all these things this morning as Pastor Carl was teaching on Jonah.  I thought of many of you by name as he was retelling the story of a Prophet who ran away from God's voice.  Hear me clearly when I say this - I'm not saying that your questioning is ANY different than some of the questioning that comes from adults at times.  But, I've recently spoken to many of you who know what it is to be obedient to God, and who spend alot of time running in the other direction from Him.  I don't think it's an intentional running...I really don't...but I do think it's easier to run than it is to stay and take instructions. 

So, why bring this up? 

Here's the deal.  I KNOW you want to do what is right.  I KNOW you are attending LIFE not just because your friends are going and because it's great entertainment.  I KNOW that you are going because you want to be open to God's voice.  And because I know these things, I'm making one request of you this week:

Amidst the busyness of your week- the time spent on your ipods, computers, and with friends- set aside an allotted amount of time with God THIS week.  Ask Him to meet with you this week so that next week you can meet with him as friends....not strangers.  Ask Him to spend time with you as you prepare your hearts to be open to His whisperings.  Ask Him...I dare you!  I promise He will show up, be glad to join you, and will guide you as you ask Him to help you be faithful to Him.  I'm going to do the same this week - and I hope that you'll find it makes a difference in me as it also makes a difference in you.  {You can be assured that your leaders are praying for you all by name...we want nothing more than to see you fall in line with God's plan for your lives and your futures}

Rest up this week a little, too...I'm pretty you'll find you will need it!!!

Have a great week, you guys! 

 See you at the bonfire at the Herr's on Wednesday!

one month shy of a year...

...since I've posted on this blog!  I just looked at the date of the last posting - unbelievable how fast a year has gone by.  Last year at this time, a team of students and leaders were preparing for a two week trip to Gabon, Africa...and again this year, we are planning and preparing for a new trip together.  This one is a little closer to home- a 10 drive by bus instead of almost 24 hrs start to finish by plane.  Our destination - LIFE 2010 Conference.  One of the most amazing opportunities our students have to gather together with other teens of our denomination under one roof.  We're gearing up for a week of some awesome speakers, great times of worship and abundant opportunities to connect within our own student ministries.  Our kids {and, I might add, our five leaders} are excited and ready to begin our road trip and stand poised and ready to be challenged and changed during this week. 

In past LIFE conferences many of our students have gone forward to receive Christ for the first time, recommitted their lives to God and committed to fulltime ministry & missions. This week is all about growing and changing.  Our students will be stretched as they listen to deep speakers, worship in music with thousands of other teens and connect with the rest of the group {four teens to a room, folks, that's real connection!}.  There'll be lots of listening, learning and certainly ALOT of laughing!!!  {Seriously, if you have not taken the time to get to know our students, you are TRULY missing out on alot of laughing!} 

The theme of this year's conference is

 COLLIDE...what happens when your world meets God’s world?   

The LIFE 2010 website describes the conference like this, 

"Imagine thousands of students authentically experiencing God and being inspired to expand His Kingdom. Imagine worshipping and growing closer to Christ. Imagine connecting with new friends, serving together and helping church plants. Imagine tons of seminars and workshops, awesome concerts and incredible experiences. That’s what LIFE is all about."

We're excited to have Francis Chan back with us as our main speaker again this year. 

 Many of us have read his books "Crazy Love" and  "Forgotten God" and know that God is working with him to present some pretty challenging messages to our students.  We'll also have the opportunity to worship with some great musicians - some of which are playing in the background as you read this. 

Check out the LIFE website {click on the link above} and stop one of our students in the hallway - they're REALLY excited for this trip and would be glad to tell you about it!  We'll be blogging here throughout the week of LIFE to update with pictures, stories and prayer requests so stop by often.  PLEASE pray for our students as they prepare for this trip.  Pray that the LORD would grip each heart and transform each one of their lives to mirror HIS.  These are students with GREAT potential to change their worlds, pray that the pressures around them would diminsh so that they will choose to follow hard after Him with a radical faith.

Thank you, parents, for allowing us to accompany your children and love on them as they reshape their lives for Christ...each one of us take our jobs seriously and look forward to seeing what God has in store for each of them.  We do what we do because it is our desire to raise up a new generation of Christians who follow daily after Christ with total self-abandonment.  We're so privileged to be a part of their lives