Summer Days with Creation Fest, Anniversary, 2K6 and more!

What a summer it has been! I haven't had time to write in the longest time! Or I guess I should say that I haven't made time to write. So, here is my summer update and you can read what sounds interesting and pass on the boring stuff.....but of course, anything I write is interesting and fun, RIGHT???? :)

Creation Fest
Okay, so most of you know that I went with my great friend, Jennifer, to Creation Fest and I didn't even melt in the heat! It was an adventure for sure, we took off in my trailer (NO, Danae and Erica, I didn't drive!) My friend Jennifer drove our Expedition and pulled the trailer, she did pretty good but the ride home was a bit fast :) (think she was sick of me?) We stayed at an RV Resort about 25 minutes from the Gorge so we could have full hookups and run the air conditioner. The place had a nice pool that the girls (Stephanie and Jen's daughter Jessica) had a great time in and it made for nice mornings. We headed to the Gorge in the early evening for the concerts at night and even though we had to walk like 2 miles from parking to concert site, we survived! (of course, Jen would ride her bike 25 miles or run 5 miles in the mornings, so she was all warmed up and ready to go) I don't think I drove her too crazy, but I am sure I did a bit! Can you imagine being stuck with me 24/7 for four days straight??? In the heat, with lots of walking? But I think I was a trooper and we all got along good. :) Stephanie liked the music, the pool, and stuff and she actually has talked about the fun we had there a bit since coming home, so that means it was a succesful trip! I am happy I conquered Creation Fest, but I think I will leave it to the teens for next year! :) :) All in all, I am glad I went to Creation Fest and had an adventure with Jen, it's good to do stuff like that sometimes and I don't get to spend enough time with her, so that in itself made it worth it! :) There is only ONE Jen Kren and I love her like my sister! Thanks for making me step out of my box and take on a new thing, Jen, you are truly my friend for life.

Happy Anniversary to US!
So, July 29 was our ELEVENTH anniversary! We haven't actually celebrated it yet because of scehdules. I spent the day reorganizing from Creation Fest (got home that afternoon) and preparing for Youth Camp 2K6, which we left for on July 30. A friend of ours came over and hung out with Sean for a bit and took him out to dinner, so I got a kick out of that! Sean went out to dinner with our friend for the anniversary and I spent the evening at the Warehouse (our Teen Center) loading up game stuff! :) Thanks Kevin for making sure Sean got some dinner! Later that night, Sean came to the Warehouse and helped me finish up. So we did get some time together!! We are planning on getting away this month sometime to celebrate our Anniversary and his birthday which is on the 11th of August. Either way, it is wonderful to be married to Sean and we have had a great 11 years, been through a lot and we are still loving and laughing.

Summer Camp 2K6
Where to begin? There is something about being away from your usual everyday life that is good to experience sometimes. It gives you time to really focus in on God and listen to Him and also fills your cup! I haven't laughed that much in a long time! :) Maybe it was something in the air! I was the "Game Master" once again, which basically means I organize and run the games. This year, I think we took it to a new level and the kids seemed to enjoy it! Spaghetti anyone? I did miss Justin Carpenter though, he always knew exactly where the best play field would be and how to set up the various goals or borders for the games, but I think we got it worked out.

The worship was INCREDIBLE. It really went to a new level and it is so refreshing to be able to just give it all to God and not feel awkward. We jump, we clap, we yell, we lift hands, we just release ourselves and go for it. The team did a great job of preparing, listening to the Holy Spirit, and finding that balance of being planned and prepared but also open to go where God leads. Josh Cross, YOU ROCK! Noelle, you are the glue that sticks it all together, and team......GREAT JOB! Thanks for giving so much of yourselves to worship and leading us into that place with God.

TEACHING? Oh, yea! we had teaching....each day was a great build from what we had already heard and each speaker really allowed God to speak through them. I got so much out of it! Pastor Andrew, Pastor Steve, Rosanna, and Jason were all great! I missed Taylor and Noelle because I was prepping for games, but I heard nothing but fabulous reports from everyone! I know there were great seeds planted in the hearts of the kids and leaders too! The prayer time was intense and kids really stepped up and let God use them. It is wonderful to experience.

The kids were great. It is so precious to watch God work in their lives and see them receiving from Him. They are like little sponges and camp was a place they could just soak up Him. His love, His gifts, His heart, His Word. I know there were hearts changed and lives touched.....let's all be in prayer that those seeds flourish!

There is so much more I could say, but it's hard to put the experience into words....you kind of got to go and live it for yourself. What I will say in closing is that we have THE MOST INCREDIBLE, GIFTED, PASSIONATE, and AWESOME Youth Pastor on the Earth and he has surrounded himself with the BEST YOUTH LEADERS ever! Way to go guys and thanks for letting me be a part of the summer camp team. You know I love being the Game Master and I hope you all had fun doing them! Sorry about the Billy Award, Andrew........