Tuesday at Cedarmore

We arrived safely at Cedarmore after a small part needed to be replaced on our trailer. Fortunately, Pastor Mike noticed the missing part before it became an issue. The students mostly laughed, slept, and ate their plethora of snacks on the way up. When we arrived the students were greeted at the entrance by a staff member who prayed with each of the vans/bus. The craziness then began! We got a group photo, did the wave, registered and found our wonderfully air conditioned rooms. Our first big event was the first evening meeting and energy filled the room as the students poured into the dark room with loud music (ask Meaghan), high fives from counselors, and dizzying lights. Our theme is One and the camp pastor shared with the students how they are part of one story - the biblical story of God creating, redeeming, and restoring this world and God's people. Of course he shared in such a way that mingled laughter with impact. Our students gave him a thumbs up in our checkpoint time as a youth group at night. Our only distraction was our checkpoint room which was sandwiched in-between two other groups with thin walls between us, but today we heard that we will have a much bigger room for our group of 53, and it will be quiet since only our group will use it. Checkpoint time is probably one of the most critical times at church camp and God has already met our need by ensuring this will be a time where we can focus on what God is communicating to us as a group. We wrapped up the evening with our "Girl Time" and the guys with their "Dude Sessions" and some went to bed, while others revelled in new friends, jokes, and Kenny's threat to turn on the heat if they didn't go to sleep. Students shared that they appreciate their counselors, especially the energy they bring and the way they have demonstrated wanting to know each of the students. Our group did team building and had their first POI session. If you want to see photos of these activities, be sure to check out our secure youth roots site and ask to be a member.

God is already at work and the staff at Cedarmore have been praying since last August for our youth. The spiritual dedication makes such a difference and Elizabeth said last night, "we are so free of distraction here, we can hear God, I guess that's why you take away our cell phones." God is working and we are faithfully praying - we'd love for you to join us.