Camp High vs Living in the day to day

So you guys have been home for a week now. This is about that time that the "Camp High" wears off and you start wondering why you aren't as excited about things as you were. It's a natural feeling. You cannot live on a camp high forever.

My devotion a few days ago made me think of you guys and what you may be going through. He brought up the point that we are not born with habits; instead we have to form them on the basis of the new life God has put into us.... Just because you guys went to camp and felt close to God there doesn't mean you will automatically feel close to Him everyday at home. You have to seek Him. You have to try.

"Do not expect God to always give you His thrilling minutes, but learn to live in the domain of drudgery (doing the same thing day in and day out, or doing the ordinary and maybe boring) by the power of God."

I love that quote. We often live expecting God to give us the most exciting moments all the time. And when he doesn't, we feel distant and disappointed. But do we expect this from anything else in life? Do you expect every second with your family, friends, or boyfriend/girlfriend to be the most fun you have ever had?

Newlyweds are a great example. Once they tie the knot and begin life together, what do they get excited about? Getting to shop together or cook together or do all the normal family things together. Is that exciting? Would they be that excited to do that with their mom or dad? No! It's WHO they are doing the activity with that excited them.

You have the same opportunity now, to get excited about doing ordinary life with God!

Please take the challenge this Summer and begin each day with Him. Then as you go about each part of your day, think about how God fits in. Maybe you are enjoying swimming- it's a great time to thank Him for amazing weather and a body that is able to swim. Maybe you are goofing off with friends- it's a great time to thank Him for friends and talk to your friends about how you are growing.

I know the Camp High is a popular feeling, but if you ask me, I want to live in the normal everyday life walking right in step with my Savior. How about you?


- Mrs.Pate via my iPhone

Pictures for days!

We took a TON of pics this week. I know I don't have them all, so if there's some you would like me to add, just bring your camera to church on Sunday, and we'll get them on here! I'd like to have one specific place to keep all of our pictures this year. Click on the following links to see the fantabulous pictures!!

- Opening Day
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Final Day

Oh, The Places You'll Go!!

So, today was our last day at camp! All you parental units have your children safe at home (unless they've already run off to be with their friends)!! A wonderful time was had by all!! Enjoy pics from the final day!

That's all she wrote folks. Crossings 2011 was awesome!

Day 4...Shine!

The kiddos (and chaperones) were definitely moving quite a bit slower by Day 4. Picture everyone in extreme slow motion until the last possible second before breakfast. The girls in my room HATE my alarm, but hey...it woke them up!! It also made Gina think there was a fire alarm. Oops!

Day 4 was a slow day for POI pictures. *Cuz the chaperones wanted to participate :D*

Aaron Masterson, Haley Carter, Miranda, McKenna, Drew, and Brett went yakaking!!

Sarah had ziplining (and her mommy tagged along)! Awesome!

Hannah, Gracie, and Paige did some arts and crafts.

Hailey Masterson had messy games...let's just say that she had to work pretty hard to clean the shower afterwards.

Jonathan went tubing!!

Penny, Winter, Jason and Laney had a great time playing basketball!!!!

Aaron Burkeen, Scot, Dustin, Lucas, (and Justin and Haven!) played BAZOOKA-ZOOKA ball!!! And dominated...just saying.


We spent our Connect time as a church at the always delicious Belew's! Yummo. Everyone enjoyed the refreshing shakes and ice cream!

We also had the B-B-B-BOAT RACE!!!!!

Our boat looked fantastic...SEE!

Fearless Captain.

Dustin being a goofy French dude :)

There goes our boat!! The shower curtains were cumbersome...

Getting prepared.

The competition...Mystery Inc.

Down they go!! They totally won the "Titanic Award."

Get it, Jonathan!

Here he comes...determination!

Now some fun shots of how the girls keep from getting bored while anxiously awaiting the boat race!!

Aztec Warriors!

I forgot to mention that we did a couple teambuilding activities yesterday...see more on that in Justin's post! :) Here are the pics from those crazy activities.

Listening intently...comprehending?! Not so much.

He can fly!!

Working together.

Getting them across!

Haley, the worker.

The chaperones are not convinced these kids know what they're doing!!

Go Aaron Go!

Cheese, please!

Swing across!

Go Scot!

Hannah helping Aaron get his feet in!

Jason's turn!!

He did it!!!!!!!

Humiliating or Humidity

That's right, we did a little team building. We were told that the focus was supposed to be on Humility--putting others first. However, when we debriefed after each team building exercise the kids said the goal was to Humiliate themselves (which they did) and then after the second exercise they said the focus was Humidity (which it was very humid and we were sweating). Oh the fun of a Freudian Slip.

Anyways, we have had lots of fun and really built a more unified community. Overall, camp has been an incredible experience that will hopefully be the catalyst for great things for God's glory in the lives of our youth. We had one student commit their life to ministry--probably missions as a translator or medical missions. We have challenged our group with some areas we need to grow in as well as individually share areas that we want to grow in on a personal level.

We have spent a great deal of time talking about Going Beyond--which means living on mission. We have been brainstorming on ways to help children in the slums of India--mainly raising money to help feed the kids their one meal a day and share the gospel with them. We are really focusing on how we can live daily as a missionary in our homes, at our schools, and in our community. Be sure to ask us lots of questions about how we will combine our passions with our burdens to go beyond. Help hold us accountable to living out the commitments we have made at camp.

Most students have said they want to read their bible daily and pray. They want to actually be a witness at school and on their sports teams and in their clubs. They want to go on mission, not just do missions.

Thank you for your prayers. Remember to hold us accountable and have us share our experiences with you in person.

Day 3...Scrub-a-dub-dub!!

Remember how I said Day 2 was HOTTTT?? Day 3 was super-duper (Ahhh!!) HOTTTTTTTTT!!!!!

Paige, Penny, Winter, Miranda, Gracie, and Jonathan all climbed on the tower!!! Everyone got to the top (except Penny, but she was oh so close!!!)

Get it, Penny Jo!

She did such a great job!!

Such a look of concentration...

Made it to the tippy-top! Go Winter!

Miranda Brooke!

Conquered her fear!!

Jonathan was determined....

to make it to the top!

There goes Gracie!

She made it to the top...

and this was her view!

ANTS!!!

Go Paigey!!

A little dark, but she made it (and her shoes look awesome!!!!)


Scot, Jason, Sarah and Haley Carter enjoyed the coolness of the swimming pool!! Those boys were ballin' in pool basketball!!

Scot being awesome!

Jason ballin'!!

Scot ballin'!!

Jason playing some defense!

The girlies playing in the H2O!


Aaron Masterson, Brett, Hannah, and McKenna played Bazooka-zooka Ball!!! They were hardcore.

Bazooka-zooka Charlie's Angels??

Brett...sweet!


Laney went kayaking yesterday and wore her tiny arms out!

Adorable!

Go get it, girl!


Lucas, Dustin and Haley M went tubing!!

Bon Voyage!


Aaron Burkeen and Drew rocked out some indoor games.

**I forgot to post this on the first day, but here are our gorgeous campers on opening night!!**

YAY CAMP!

GOOFY GOOBERS!