Power Up Rally

Happy Wednesday Everyone! 
I hope everyone is having a good week so far, and had a great weekend!  I was up in Georgia this past weekend, spending some QT with my In-Laws! It was nice to get up there and see them, and see my husband's good friend Tony. 
This week has started off crazy busy and exhausting, as we begin trying to get things in gear for our annual Power Up Youth Rally next week. This means finishing all last minute registration stuff for campers, preparing documents for dorms, cleaning rotations, minister schedule, etc. as well as trying to get my house in order, clothes washed, and packing for an entire week of being gone. I love our Youth Rallys, but I have to tell you I'm exhausted just thinking about it. However, I know that it is going to be a great year and that God will do many wonderful things throughout the week. 
Don't know what our Youth Rally is? I'll tell ya! 
Since 2007, a few churches in our area have come together to put on a free, week long youth rally full of good preaching from some wonderful, young ministers, amazing games and activities and great fellowship. We kick off Monday night, and from there have two services a day (morning and night), except for Wednesday, and end Friday night. On Wednesday, we have an Game day, that has previously included an "Amazing Race", Slip-n-Slides, Water Slides, Rock Climbers, and Hillbilly golf tournaments. There is more, but I just don't see the point in naming it all. You get the gist. We conclude our Game day with our Wednesday night service.
 In between services during the week, the youth have pool time, a lake to canoe in, some scheduled games or activities. Some just hang out talking to friends they haven't seen in a while, while others spend their time on the instruments practicing and preparing for the next service. 
The whole week is about encouraging our present and future generations, helping them to build up their relationship with God, so that they can win souls for Christ. In the mean time, they are forming bonds with people they probably wouldn't have ever met, making lifetime friendships. 
I'm still weirded out by the fact that I've been considered a chaperon for six years now. I use to be the little kid running around being told "no", back when they were called Seminar's, and now, I'm having to be responsible. :p  I wouldn't change it for the world, though, no matter how exhausted I am by the end of the week. I have loved every year spent in a dorm with giddy teenagers. I have loved watching them grow and mature, not just physically, but spiritually. I love watching them now stepping up as young men and women of God. It isn't always easy, but it is worth it. 
I actually almost teared up thinking that some of the girls who started coming, and ended up in my room because they needed a chaperon, are now nearly grown. How did that happen?!?
Anyways, I'm excited to see what is in store for us this year.  Here is a few little glimpses of Power Up '12.

         

Find a Memory to Brighten your Day.

 

Warning... I'm about to unload a crap ton of pictures on you guys :)

 

As most of you probably know already (or maybe not), this has been a week full of emotional turmoil, self-revelations, nights of tears and fears, and stepping outside of comfort zones. Some of the things I have went into some detail on in previous posts. The rest I have and will keep to myself for now. This morning, I'm flipping the switch to flash some light in this dreary week.

 

I wanted to start by posting things that I loved and made me happy, and had a few ideas in mind, which were mostly people. However, as I found the pictures I'd had in mind, I began finding others I loved, which made me keep looking. It kind of went down hill from there. Before I knew it I found gazillion pictures that I wanted to post.

 

It was then I realized that it wasn't just the people in these photos that brightened my day, but the memories I made with these people. Which made me realize how truly blessed I was.

 

Some of these pictures range from a few months to a few years back. These specific memories just happen to be caught on film, some random and candid, some posed, but all memories of great times, happy times.

 

Then I realized how truly blessed I still am.

 

God has allowed me to reach the point I am now. He's allowed me to still have these people in my life, and to live my life with them. Not every day, week, month or year is good or great. But there is something worth living for even in the darkest of times. Memories have a way of reminding you of that...

 

Memory Reminder #1...

 

How much I love this man...

 

I love how he is silly with me....

 

 

 

That he suffered  hours waiting for the Harry Potter

Premier with me (he must love me lol)

That he lets me and my sister decorate him :)



 

I love him when he is hairy! 

 And I even loved him after he elbowed me in the head at

our rehearsal....

 

Because he kissed it all better

 And he loves me... even when I look

like a drowned rat!

 

 

Memory Reminder #2...

 

Never Take Your Parents for Granted.

They end up becoming your best friends.

 

 

Not just Mommies....

 

 

 But Daddies too!

 

Memory Reminder #3...

 

Don't take life so seriously, because being serious

is overrated!

 

 

Act like a big kid....

Even when are an adult.

 

 

And face the consequences of getting stuck

in a big ball :)

 

Goofy faces keep life interesting.

 

 

 

 

 Find a reason to play dress up, whether it is for Halloween...

 

 

Because you found some hilariously hideous

stuff in a thrift store

 Or because your nieces make you.

 

And don't forget the wigs... they are fun!

 

 

 Memory Reminder #4...

 

Enjoy each moment as it comes,

because you never know....

 

When you will see someone wear

your pot holder as a hat

 

 

When you will see your Memaw

strip to "Yeah" by Usher

*Side note: It was for a friend's bachelorette party,

and she stripped to her pajamas LOL.

 

When you will see someone get eaten

by dinosaurs. 

 

 

 

If you will ever be this close to a hot rod again in your lifetime

 When you'll see a homemade pool driving down the road

 Or when you'll catch those perfect moments

of those kids who steal your heart over and over again

 



 

 

Life can be so short sometimes, and the sad thing is, a lot of times we take life for granted. We take the people in our life for granted. We take smiling and laughing for granted. Always remember that tomorrow isn't guaranteed. You aren't promised a tomorrow with your spouse, parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, grandparents, etc. Life is difficult sometimes, and there are days where it is taking everything you can do to keep from falling apart, but just remember the happy times, the memories you've made, and realize that you are still living and breathing, which means you can make many more happy memories.

 

Hope you all have a great Thursday! :)