WE MADE IT!

The trip to Panama City Beach went so smoothly that we arrived earlier than we ever had. Abby handled the ride very well and we rejoiced when we got to the Boardwalk Beach Resort. Pizza for supper (as usual on the first nite) and then the "Big" meeting. It was great....we have a different emcee this year because many of the regulars of BigStuf are at a conference at Daytona Beach, but the group that they put in place for worship and messages is still top notch.

The theme for this year is "Time". Hmmmmm.....we wondered......what are they going to do with that? What angle will they take? It seems to be coming from different angles, and we have found that it really doesn't matter. ANY of them are teachable moments. After the "Big" meeting, we had our church group/small group time in which topics were discussed about giving back our time to God, what do they want their story to be over time, etc. It is just the beginning on an amazingly interesting topic! A few pictures are attached to show you a little bit of what is going on here.

Today we also had our "leaders" time while the youth had their own special programming. The leaders meeting was awesome. Isn't it great when God sends someone else to tell you that you are on the right path. That what we are doing is what others see is the thing that needs to be done!?!?!? The whole message that was given is hard to sum up, but it is basically that we have a young culture that is totally different. One that the older generation can't really be expected to enter in or understand.....BUT.....we do not have to join their culture, we just need to love them like Jesus and show them that they are loved no matter what, that they can trust God no matter what, and that God created them completely unique and special and because of that they are valuable and loved!

Meanwhile, back at the student meeting, Kaitlin Reeves won 2nd place (out of 1500 others) in the Simon Says Contest. She was awesome and the whole room had a great time with that! Congratulations Kaitlin.....you will have to show us the T-shirt that you won.

Well, we are off to tonight's Big Meeting! Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers!
Talk to you some more real soon!
Tracy