Youth weekend

So I ended up being one of the chaperons for the youth retreat last weekend. It was a hoot. There was two groups going, and we were the second one, leaving later in the evening. We had a 3+ hour drive since the highway normally taken was closed due to avalanches, we had to take a longer southern route to the place we were staying. The pass wasn't too bad, but we still had to take it easy. Of course I had to slip and slide a little to keep everyone in the van on their toes! Only in the parking lots though. We had 23 of us altogether, I think 12 of us were from our church.
We got in about midnight, and games were already in progress. We unloaded the food, and promptly started to munch, snack, and get to know everyone there by greetings and introductions. We setup the rules, itinerary, and then we played a group game. That lasted until 2:15am or so. Since we had devotions at 7:30am, we figured to send everyone to bed...yeah right. Everyone went, but sleep didn't come easy, at least for the guys.
A few guys were "chosen" to be examples of good character and patience. Those lucky ones were blessed with water, flour, and shaving cream. Do you know that flour sticks really well to the face when first primed with water? The victim, I mean model of virtue, is sleeping soundly, you would be too if it was after 3am, and the moral builder silently comes into the room with a cup of water, and a cup of flour in each hand. The diamond in the rough is then splashed with water followed by the flour, and the chase begins. Kinda funny seeing someone bolt out the room with a panicked "I have to get out of here look" followed by what in all appearances resembles a ghost. This, along with the shaving cream incident put most of the guys on edge, and the sleep deprivation was set in stone. I was the last one to dose off around 4:30am, and was up at 6:30am. Every little thing woke me up. One eye was always open, I tell you that!

Next morning was a good, with devotions and breakfast. Then off to the sledding hill. Tommy & Dave got the worst of it I think. But all in all, nothing too bad. I mean, as long as we didn't have any broken bones, right?

We went to the Maverick center after a quick lunch back at the house. They had a hot tub, ool, (we all know there is no "p" in the pool, right?), rock climbing wall, volleyball court and a exercise room. Oh yeah, can't forget the wave pool @ $20 a person. Basically you pay and take turns for two hours falling off the little surf board and looking like a fool. Good times...
We played vollyball for a bit as well. small court, but fun as well.

Then back to the house for dinner, evening devotions and worship. That was a blast. Tommy did a good job bringing a message to the group and later Troy and Tom C. lead us in some songs that went into some prayer time. I think it lasted about two hours in all, and was good to see the youth open up from behind the defensive walls and receive some encouragement and healing in their lives.

Next we went on to the game of Bet-a-Bite. Basically there are two teams, and the object is to get the most points by eating items in a certain number of mouthfuls. One mouthful is 3 points, two mouthfuls-two points, three mouthfuls-one point. The item in question is brought out in a box so you can't see it. You can guess the weight and size, and before you open it, you have to disclose how many bites, or mouthfuls as it were, that you are going to down it in. The items ranged from M&Ms to pickled pigs feet. We only had a few that weren't able to complete. One was cake frosting in one mouthful, and the other was a can of SPAM in two mouthfuls. I don't blame either one for not finishing, I am just glad they weren't on my team!

Spoons was the next game, followed by the name game, and that ended the night/morning around 3:15am. Once again, I was the last to go to sleep and the first one awake...I just stayed in my sleeping bag with one eye open when I heard someone get up. I didn't want to wake up with shaving cream on my face.

Made the trip home just fine, I did sleep for a good 12 hours the next night. Yeah, I know what your thinking. What a wuss. Hey, I am a 36 year old trying to keep up with the 18-26 year olds, and no coffee all weekend! What's up with that?!?!?!

Until next time....



Jeremy