Welcome! This is Cameron Tate, an incoming junior in the high school youth group. I have taken the time from the gruesome and awesome physical labor work that we are doing here in order to in brief share some key tidbits about our ride to Idaho, which took place yesterday. Waking up at the ungodly hour of 5:00am, I could already feel (in my own, lethargic, morning attitude) that God was all about ready to move in us, there was a certain unattainable yet strangely palpable feeling in the air. Upon arriving Suburban, we assembled after greeting one another and shared in prayer so that we may get headed off on our way in the right way. After hastily getting settled in the modes transportation (one being Anna Belle, our beloved bus, driven by my personal hero and mentor, John Admire; while the other being the Suburban van, which despite the confusing title, is not a suburban after all) and taking a head count, we pushed off for the golden lands that awaited us.
Fellowship ensued naturally, as we all found comfort and common interests in our brothers and sisters in Christ. Tender moments, encouragement, and hilarity were shared by all, so was the restlessness of sitting for several hours on end and the hot sun’s heat bearing down on us. Needless to say, the few rest stops we received were warmly welcomed.
When we reached the destination, many were sad to see that the wonderful time that was spent on the bus had come to an end, but all became quickly filled with anticipation as realization descended on their minds that exciting adventures and enduring friendships and memories were about to be built. Besides all this, the water cooler had spilt in the bus, so the floor was thusly drenched… this was not Nolan E. Bartlow’s fault AT ALL.
The young tots were eager to explore, but first a greeting message was eloquently delivered by our host, Jeff Turner. Accommodations for the entire group had been prepared for us, and a good old-fashioned delivery line was amassed so that all of the bags, sleeping bags, pillows, and other such amenities were brought into the dwelling place. Everything was moved into the gender assigned rooms… and then everything was taken out and moved into different rooms when the female’s room was discovered to have a slight infestation of insects. I myself am no fan of such creatures, but the young men valiantly sacrificed in order to please the ladies. Such gentlemen we are.
Hilary Bylund delivered a short message on love, as the theme of the week for lessons is the fruit of the spirit. We also communed in musical worship, and another form of worship by writing down the things that God has blessed us with and posting it on the wall. The connection team introduced a system by which we could be encouraged this week of everyone having a paper bag which others could write notes of Truth and confidence may be distributed by their peers.
After the long day of travel and fun, we recognized (a.k.a. Jamey informed us) that rest was necessary and lights-out was soon to come. So final preparations for slumber were taken, and we assumed our positions on the floor (or for those who are well equipped, a cot or air mattress) and closed our eyes and rested our heads knowing that an even more exciting day of servitude and devotion was soon to begin with the morning.
That is about all the time I have, I’m sure my work group is missing me, I’m a pretty good painter. Thank you all for reading this, supporting us, and praying for us; God’s work is being done!
With love, in Him.
Cameron
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