WEEK 9

This week I've been at camp. Last thursday and friday involved more getting ready for camp, but sunday came and camp started. I was late getting there, but heard that sunday night service went well. After service, Britt Nicole did a concert and I got there in time to see that. Monday night's service was AMAZING!!! pastor ben preached and our drama team did an amazing job. God moved in a new way. I'm in charge of video stuff all week long. I thought i would enjoy it since there didn't seem like much responsibility, but it is a lot more work than what i expected. I'm still having a blast hanging out with all the kids and other staff that i only see a couple times a year. Last night's service was good. I stayed in my room to work on some more video stuff, but the Britt Nicole concert (she's here all week) turned into a prophetic worship service. The kids were praying for each other and worshiping together for a couple hours... we had to tell them it was time to go to their cabins. I'm putting some of the videos from camp on youtube.com just search odyouthm and they should be there if you're interested. I really wish i could explain what is going on at camp, but i really can't put it into words.

some of the questions that i've been having are just how to handle certain situations at camp, but i feel i've gained a better understanding simply by watching the youth pastors handle them here. They had to take some drugs away from a kid the first night and they also had a girl that had to go to the hospital the first night and two girls go to the hospital yesterday. The two girls yesterday discovered some life changing news... that i probably shouldn't talk about. my only question that i'm still wrestling with a little is this camp's pranking policy, no pranking and if caught, you will go home at your parents expense. I think this is kinda harsh, but that's probably because i like pranking. They haven't sent anyone home for pranking yet, they gave them punishment instead. The punishment was way way way worse than i think it should be, but i'm not in charge. What should a youth pastor do that doesn't really agree with some of the policies of the other youth pastors?

My spiritual life has been full of lightbulb moments where God just shows me things that rock my world. He is so good to me! all day every day he is blessing me and giving me favor in the eyes of men. This past weekend, i was working at a basketball tournament in southeastern ohio and while i was working i began talking to this guy, just to get to know him a little better since i was going to work with him all weekend. I found out that he manages the outdoor gear store in town... it's huge! but later i thought about asking for a pair of boots, then contemplated not asking, then thought, "what's the worst that could happen? he could say no" so i asked if he could hook me up with a pair of boots and he said yes, we went through the store and i found some really nice ones that were $150 retail and he gave them to me for free!!! The favor of God is amazing. I was all excited about the boots, but almost everyone from church that i told this story to said that God has placed a gift in my life that people just give me things, i have a unique ability to make money, come up with ideas, etc. I am learning more and more to listen to God's spirit and use my discernment with the situations i find myself in. I have no doubt that God is going to use me to change lives. I can't wait because it's happening even now!!! I'm still working on how to do web design to start this business thing, but God is so so so so so good to me and i'll remind everyone that i'm so stinkin blessed, i can't help it?

Hours:

thursday - 2 hours planning camp games

sunday - 2 hours socializing at camp/helping ben prep for his sermon

monday - all day video shooting/editing, running ppt for worship, doing video for ben's sermon, etc.

tues - same as monday but with different pastor

wed - so far just put some videos online and getting ready to do the same as mon and tues.