National High School Youth Gathering, New Orleans, 2009

A few days ago I got back from the National High School Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana. There were 37,000 high school students and adult leaders. Yay for Lutheran gatherings! I saw a bunch of camp people and friends. Such a small Lutheran world. The gathering gave us free t-shirts, bags, and Bibles.

We were supposed to pray at 4:24pm every day, but that was kind of hard to remember sometimes. It was because of the scripture, Acts 4:24. We did the "Final 15" every day, which was the daily devotional. We reflected on our days during these.

There were 37,000 people in the superdome, including awesome bands. Skillet, The Katinas, Lost and Found, Agape, Amanda Shaw, the House band, and other amazing performers.

Our service project was painting the inside of an elementary school. It was partly under water during hurricane Katrina. We were able to see houses that 4 years later were still damaged and not rebuilt after Katrina. The people there were so grateful we were there. They thought that no one cared about them, but after seeing all 37,000 of us there, they constantly thanked us. They said we were blessing them, and that was pretty amazing!

Cajun food is tasty! I tried alligator and frog leg, which I've never tried before. It was good. My youth group of 11 people, including myself, Rich and Andrea had a great time overall. We did an incredible amount of walking on the trip.

On the airplane ride there I sat next to Spencer from San Luis Obispo, and Leslie from Arroyo Grande. we talked a little bit. On the way back, surpisingly I sat next to both of them again. This time we were excited to see each other, and talked a lot about the trip. This trip was somethimg that changed us.


Yesterday I went to Disneyland with Sean, Anthony, and the SITs. Oh man, I love my job. Well, we are all meeting now, so peace out. Lata friends!

Camp SIT program!

In my last blog I said I wanted to share a faith story, but I'm going to have to save that for another time.  I'm one of the Staff in Training (SIT) program directors for Lutheran Retreats Camps and Conferences (LRCC).  It is such an amazing, fun job!  I travel from Camp Yolijwa (Youth Living Jesus Way), to beach camp, to New Orleans for the National High School youth gathering with 36,000 people (but this is through my church that I'm the youth director at), to El Camino Pines.  I get to travel with 3 amazing high school guys, and the other SIT program director, Sean.  We originally had 4 guys but one of them went home.  It is so much fun.  I can't say that enough.  The first week was confirmation camp at Yolijwa and the next week we did lifeguard/CPR/first aid training.  I'm now certified in all of them, which is cool.

God told me something really awesome on July 9th.  I told Him with all sincerity that I need clear direction.  He told me, "If you turn to things that don't matter, that's what you will find.  When you turn to things that matter most, that's where you will find me."

God is so cool in the way He speaks to me.  He know when it is something I need to hear.

What has God been telling you lately?

How do you respond to what He has to tell you?