May Update

Dear Team, 

Happy Memorial Day! I hope today is a meaningful day as you reflect on those who've given their lives for the freedom of our country and others. I had an opportunity to visit the Lorraine American Cemetery near Saint Avold, France a few days ago. The cemetery is 100+ acres and home to 10,489 graves - the largest number of graves of fallen WWII soldiers in Europe. This was my second visit to an American Cemetery in Europe. Over Christmas break, my parents and I visited one in Luxembourg, where General Patton was laid to rest. Looking out at all the crosses and reflecting on all the lives they represent is a pretty somber experience. So many young men laid down their lives for our freedom. 

Two days after visiting the cemetery, I received an e-mail that grieved my heart. A young Marine from Oregon was killed while on a mission in Afghanistan. He and his parents are extremely close friends to my good family friends the Lambert's. Keaton was 22, about three weeks shy of completing his second tour of duty and a month away from getting married. Instead of planning a homecoming and finalizing wedding plans, his parents are now preparing for a funeral. Would you join me in praying for Keaton's parents, Grant and Inger and for my the Lambert's as they grieve the loss of their son and dear friend. Praise the Lord Keaton walked with the Lord and is enjoying eternity with our Savior! 

Thank you so much for joining me in ministering to the military community. It's an honor to get to serve those who serve through sharing the love of Christ with them. I'm super grateful for your support that enables me to minister to military teens as they grow up in such a transient culture. Pray that they would  "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge." 

Ministry Report:

Tomorrow night we'll honor our graduating seniors. We've had a great group of seniors this year and it'll be sad to see them go. But - I'm excited to see where the Lord is leading them, many of them are off to exciting things. Pray they'd find good churches to plug into as they transition into a new chapter and that they'd continue to grow in Christ! Moving back to America for college will be a major change for many of them, as most of them have spent their high school years abroad.

In two weeks, we'll have our annual PCS (permanent change of station = moving) farewell. We do a big group good bye for all students who are moving throughout the summer. Because many students spend their entire summer in the states visiting family, many of their friends will have moved away by the time they return. So everyone has a chance to say their good byes, we designate the last youth group of the school year as a good bye day. Military kids are good at not saying good bye. I'm the same way. Saying good bye so often is hard on the heart, so many avoid the sad feelings and say "see you later" and don't face their feelings. Would you begin praying for students as the PCS season approaches quickly and will continue throughout the summer. It's a tough season as students grieve friends moving away.

Speaking of moving... I'm not! But my co-workers and great friends, AJ and Anna Johnson are moving back to the states this summer. After 10 years of ministry with Cadence, AJ has decided to go back to school. He'll go to Multnomah Biblical Seminary in Portland, OR. He's an extremely gifted teacher and would like to teach Bible and youth ministry at the college level. Anna and their daughters will head back sometime in June and AJ will leave the field in July after our summer mission trip to Hungary. I'm really sad to see them go - they are wonderful people and I'm really going to miss them.

Steve Harvell arrived this week. He worked with AJ and I last summer. He recently graduated from college and is recently engaged to my dear friend Rachel, who's active duty and on her way to Qatar for a yearlong remote. During her year away, Steve is going to work with me at Ramstein! It's a huge blessing - Steve does great ministry and all of our students love him. There's another couple, Kevin and Sharon Sheible who are currently raising support in Austin, TX. They are hoping to join us here this fall! I'm excited for them to get here and begin partnering with them! Would you pray for them as they raise support - their funds are coming in and they are excited to get here!! Would you also pray for Steve and I as we transition to working together and plot out the summer and fall.

^AJ, Steve and I refining our finger dart skills so we can beat the students! 

Well, team - again thanks so much for joining me in prayer and bringing the needs of our students before the Lord. You are a huge encouragement, and I'm so grateful for you! 

Spring Break Recap

Shorebreak 2012, The Illusion

Hey Team! Thanks so much for your prayers for Shorebreak! Sorry I've been slow in getting pictures and a report up. After getting back from the retreat we had a CSM Staff Conference for a week... so life has been full!

This year's theme of "The Illusion" was super relevant to our students. So many of our students are putting lots of time and energy into their "High School 401K" - multiple AP classes, varsity letters, joining multiple clubs and extra curriculars, volunteer hours... the list goes on. The speaker challenged students to think through the things they are pursuing, and why. What do they value and/or desire to get out of those things? Popularity? Materialism? Money? Relationships? We looked a lot at the life of Solomon - a man who had everything and still called it all meaningless in the end. All in all, we had a great retreat. At least 4 of our students accepted Christ for the first time! We also had a number of other students recommit their lives to the Lord. Praise the Lord! 

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commands, for this is the duty of all mankind." Eccles. 12:13.

^ My small group! We spent our last day of camp at an amusement park - riding roller coasters and screaming our lungs out. : ) It was a fun way to end the week. Small group time is typically my favorite part of camp. After each session, we break into small groups to discuss the speaker's talk, answer questions and talk about applying it to our lives.

On a side note... one of my students recently moved here from Grand Forks AFB! She went to the same elementary/middle/high schools that I went to, had some of the same teachers and played on a lot of the same sports teams I did. It always warms my heart when I see her coming in with a Twining or Central hoodie on. : ) It's been super fun to reminisce about good ole' North Dakota and have someone affirm the beauty of wide open prairie spaces. I love it!

^ Two of our students stood before their peers and shared their testimonies with the entire camp! Both had been impacted by previous spring break camps. It was really encouraging to hear how the Lord used past retreats to meet them and set them on a path of spiritual growth!

^ Our Salvage Praise Band led the camp in worship on the final night. We've been extremely blessed this year to have a phenomenal group of musicians. We also have some amazing staff who are really patient and dedicated to helping our students grow and develop as worship leaders.

And finally, what's a trip to Italy without great pizza and cappuccinos?