The Beginnings of a Crazy Awesome Summer

Me with two amazing ladies - my mother-in-law,
Suzie, and my sister-in-law, Joanna.  It is so fun to serve
At Uplands Reach along side them.

Hey Everyone!

The summer is kicking into high-gear here at Uplands Reach Conference Center!  I am sitting in an office buzzing with activity as I write this - it seems as if there is so much to do and so little time!

A few of our awesome Crew members!

Last Sunday, our Crew arrived.  This team is made up of seven dynamic college students who raise their support and spend a summer here working hard and loving kids.

This coming Sunday, our Boot Campers arrive.  This is a team of late high school/college-age students who are spending a summer at Uplands to dig deep into why they believe what they believe and be trained to go back to their various school campuses to be a light for Christ.  They also volunteer and help us run camps and youth rallies.

With our Crew here, we are busy preparing for Boot Campers and Teen Campers (Teen Camp starts on June 20 and goes til June 24).   Registrations have to be combed through, people need to be called, vendors and meals need to be arranged, skits need to be practiced, worship songs run through by our worship team, and our campus needs to be in tip-top shape.  All of this makes for some pretty long days!

In all the busy-ness, I am learning a lot.  I am learning how to lead people with firmness and love; how to rely on God in those moments when I feel like I have nothing to give; and to multi-task like never before!

A recent volunteer training session at Uplands.  It's so cool
to see people so willing to sacrifice their time to serve.

I am loving being the skit director!  All those years in church plays and high school productions is paying off :D  It is so fun to coach people and see them create skits and dramas that draw you in and portray powerful messages.

Tonight, I am having the Crew girls over for some girl time :)  I love all the opportunities I have here to mentor girls and share life with them as they learn how to be godly women.  As always, it challenges me and encourages me to be stronger in my walk with the Lord.

Here are some prayer needs:

-Health.  For some odd reason, I have gotten sick a ridiculous amount of times this spring and am in the midst of fighting a head cold/allergies.  Pray that God protects me and our whole team so we can be at my best to serve Him!

-Unity.  Satan seems to love to destroy unity among any team determined to serve Jesus.  Please pray that we guard our minds in Christ Jesus and love each other with Christ's love.

-Salvation.  Begin to pray that God will prepare the hearts of teen campers coming in a short two weeks; that many will truly understand the gospel and run to Jesus Christ for salvation!

I am so grateful for all of you who supported me financially and are supporting me in prayer!  I wouldn't be able to do what I do without you.  Serving Jesus is such a privilege.

Love in Christ,