where did the summer go?

This summer has *flown* by. I spent the past

 three months working at Calvary with the youth, and it was all so incredible. 

I worked alongside Greg, a 26 year old seminary student who has been our 

youth ministry associate since January; Stephen, a 20 year old college student who moved to Tup the exact same week I did -- ten years ago; and Sue Mc, our interim youth minister. 

Vacation Bible School started the summer off with a *bang;* we were in charge 

of SIXTH GRADERS. 

They spent the week doing community service projects & getting acquainted with

 youth group activities.  Some projects the kids worked on were washing cars of the BUSY church staff (aka: Bro. David, our pastor, & Mrs. Amy, our children's minister) & planting flowers at a homebound member's home. 

They had prayer breakfast at Connie's one morning, and we had WET WATER GAMES one day, which was wrapped up at the Hitt's salt-water pool (the coolest pool I've ever seen). Their pool had a hot tub that flowed into the pool, and fountains that came from the side flowerbeds. I mean, it being salt-water was cool enough, but all of those

 pretty extras really made it awesome.

MFUGE: the next major event of the summer. occurred the week after VBS. took place at Belmont University. Students broke into various types of mission sites around Nashville. Some were involved in children's ministries, some building sites, some recreational sites at nursing homes, and some at juvenile detention centers doing PEER MINISTRY. 

destination unknown: trip taken to Memphis to visit the Zoo, play Lazer tag, &

 go to a Redbird's game. students were unaware of where we were going & what we would be doing. nearly 50 came. :)

super summer: youth christian leadership camp. 8th-12th graders. constant Bible study & learning to be servants.

Atlanta Fun Trip: Six Flags for two days in July.

(didn't get to go, so no pics) 

Back 2 School Retreat: Central Hills, Kosciusko. Make disciples of all nations.  45 foot swing between two trees. Hosannah, Hosannah. Fun tees. Big spider. Bon Qui Qui: Rude. 8th grade girls never sleep. 

Wanna hike down this dark path? Is that a turkey? RUN AWAY!!! 

Lunch Crew: Thursdays @ noon. Different lunch location each week. 

Fun Days: Tuesday afternoons. Ultimate frisbee, canvas painting, swimming,

 DDR, bowling, etc.

Wednesday Nights: ROCK SWIM. Matthew 11:28-29. 

Find rest IN Christ. Find rest FOR Christ.

the best part of the summer: 

not the trips, not the food, not the t-shirts...

the best part of the summer was watching the YOUTH connect with each other and form friendships that cross age and grade barriers.

and THAT was my summer "job." :)