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.