sharing life

I wanted to start off by sharing a picture that is really quite amazing. It was from a couple of days ago when the interns and myself went to the top of a mountain in Flagstaff called San Francisco Peak or something to that effect. It is the highest point in Arizona at an amazing 11,500ft!I'm the one farthest off in the picture (I NEVER WEAR SHIRTS WITH SLEEVES). It was so amazingly beautiful on top of that Mountain, and the view just screamed GOD!! I was in total amazement. It was a real bonding time for me and my fellow interns. It was so awesome. We had an opportunity to sit just as INTERN's and talk things over. I got some real guidance from one of the interns, her name is Kailey Jensen, and ultimately here dad is my main boss.Here is a picture I took yesterday of THE CREW. There is Anthony (ODC BOSS), Andrew (summer staff), John, Jake, Conner, and Isaiah (all work crew). This is a picture of us rock digging. It is odd, I feel like we have made it as a group of servants/workers in Christ once we start digging for rocks on the side of the mountain. To me it is a level we have arrived at as a group. It really means nothing, but to me, I suppose it does a bit. They are all an amazing group of guys that really longs to serve the Lord. It is quite amazing also to see what devoting a month of your summer to serving the Lord can do for you. Hey MOM, I just thought I would tell you that God connected me with this lovely lady above. Her name is Janice. It is really very amazing how we met. There was just a willingness to open up and a vulnerability that allowed honesty to come out. I would say God used it in a big way. In revealing things that needed to be revealed to her, and by reminding me that I must always be willing to be used. As well as me being so incredibly blessed by the Amazing God we serve. She is a really nice girl mom. She lives in CA though. . . but it has been really sweet having an outpouring from both of us. In a way that I have never really experienced before. I wanted you to know because I have never really let you in on this part of my life. I'm not saying that i'm dating Janice at this time or anything, but I wanted to give you the heads up ya know? LOVE YOU MOM!!

God is so bright here. This is something that I have experienced so strongly here that I know it will carry back into "the real world" (world outside of Lost Canyon).

small groups & stars

Today was great. I feel like every day here is great, even a day that is a ummmm, "not perfect day" is still totally wonderful. I am starting to see everyone here for how truly wonderful they are. Wow, 1 Peter 4:1-6 really spoke to me. More like the Holy Spirit spoke to me through those words. It is amazing how pride can fall away if you are just willing to wilidly love unconditionally. I am coming in to that. It is allowing me to love in a way that really serves my heart and place in this internship in a big way. Anyways I just wanted to share that all this personal time in small groups and inward reflection has really been super healthy for me. I am going to go look at some stars with a summer staff girl named Janice now. SMILES!

-Grace&Peace

CAPERNAUM

This is BO. Bo made my BLOG last year. If you go to June 13th of 2008, you will see him. BO really brings a lot of joy to me. Bo is also a part of YOUNG LIFE CAPERNAUM kids. You can ~CLICK HERE~ to learn more about what CAPERNAUM is all about. But basically this week was a camp full of kids with mental/physical disabilities. It is so amazing to be able to love and interact with these kids. I am impacted by their outlook on life greatly. They are so open to love and fun. I know all too often, I can be so closed off to experiencing things or even experiencing love from others. They are so honest too. So much joy comes out in me just seeing their disposition. It is so easy to love them because the love is recripricated so greatly. It is truly great training for loving people who are not so easy to love back. I made many friends this week, kids like J.R., Brent, Veronica (will be in a wheel chair the rest of her life but is never seen without a veyr infectious smile), and of course. . .JASEN!! This guy brought me so much joy. We just connected right away. His legs are very weak, and he has to wear leg braces, and he does not really speak. He can sort of speak, but he communicates mostly with pointing and hand motions/gestures. One night we played Ping Pong. It was me serving to Jasen, or Jasen serving himself, but that means he would just BLAST IT and I would run to pick it up and do it over again. He would laugh and smile and was just so overwhelmed with joy. I just felt like my joy tank was topped off every second I spent with him. Something so easy on my part really meant the world to him. The other thing that is seriously amazing is the leaders that come with them. Most of the kids, especially the ones who have higher levels of disability have to have a leader for each camper. The capernaum leaders are servants through and through. Christ shines in and around them in a very big way.

heading back

So today I am BLOGGING very early because I had a very early start. This morning I am reminded of several things; firstly the worth of a good nights sleep is great in my book. And secomdly, I cannot ever, EVER thank my parents enough for all they do for me. Let's just take today, out of the bajallions of times they have put me before themselves. It was probably 3:30AM when we (yes both of my parents took me to the airport. . . even though my mom can't walk yet) stopped at Steak & Shake for some early morning grub. Then we continued to the Indianapolis International Airport where my flight will leave @ 6:37AM. I am BLOGGING from the concourse B and about to get on.

I am excited to get back to Lost Canyon so I can be with my peeps. I want Arizona heat back!!! Ta Ta INDIANA!

-Grace&Peace

WINDY GAP

Yes, Windy Gap is the name of the camp I just got back from. It was the camp I took my area Fort Wayne Young Life kids to in North Carolina. I have some pictures to share. I took many, many, many pictures. BUT, these were the ones I wanted to share the most. Check them out.Yes, that's right that is Nicky and he is smiling. We were just about ready to go out for WESTERN night, and he drew on that mustache on himself. Can you believe it?Here are some of the good'ole boys from my cabin.Here is Daniel. We had some really good times this week. I believe God is really working in his life in a big way. I was so proud to have him in my cabin, along with every single other guy that was in there. God just has his children in different places and at different walks in life. Here is the Fort Wayne YOUNG LIFE team of leaders and kids. I got closer to kids, some kids came to know Christ, but every single individual that I have ever spent time with knows that I want to be right next to them no matter where they are Spiritually. That I want to love them and be a part of their life right where they are at. This camp was beautiful, that's for darn sure. God did many, many amazing things this last week.

WERE OFF!!

The day has finally come. We are off and about 45 minutes into a 14 hour bus ride. Ohh yes, myself 6 leaders & a buss load of Young Life (& non-Young Life) kids are off to Windy Gap in North Carolina for the week. God is going to be very active and at work through the campers as well as the leaders. I am stoked! It is 1:15AM and my head lamp is bugging kids, so Ta Ta for now.
-Mikey

PETER & baseball

My friend Peter is in town. He has been in Korea for the past 4 years. We were so extremely close in High school and middle school, and elementary school. I love that guy and his younger brother Jacob. He had to go back to Korea to join the military (mandatory draft). But he is back in Fort Wayne staying with my best friend Jared for the month, so of course I had to see him. I really love this guy, and he brings me joy. He is stuck in drink up and enjoy the times life throws at you phase, but I know he knows Christ, and pray that it is only a matter of time until he see's the bigger picture and how important it is. But, I will just continue to love him and get his random phone calls from Korea once he goes back.I ended up taking Peter & Nicky (Nick will be going with me to North Carolina tomorrow with my Young Life guys, SO EXCITING!!) to the ball park. It was such a good time, even though baseball can get a little boring.

As I was chillen with him, I asked if he wanted to go to a Tin Caps (baseball) game. I had never been to one, he had never been to one, so I thought, "WHY THE HECK NOT?!"

I had an amazing hot dog, among other great ball park foods. It was super good to spend time with Nick and Peter. I am extremely fortunate I got to do this.
It was an amazing game towards the end. In the 3rd inning, the Tin Caps (Fort Wayne's team) tied it up 4-4. Right in the 10th inning, they scored after having 1 ball, 2 strikes, and 2 outs. The winning point brought in the last stand they needed, and the CROUD WENT CRAZY!! Then, to add a little icing to the cake, there was a great and very loud firework display. Peter didn't think it was that impressive, but it was real good.

~MY PRAYER TONIGHT~

"Thank you Lord for allowing me to have this experience with both Peter and Nick. You bless me so much, even though I am a sinful idiot who forgets way too quickly. I praise you for the GRACE you constantly show me. I love you, and you are the only true meaning in my life. You are my rock and my solid ground."