Speed With Direction...

Our food drive is wrapped up and it looks like 1300 boxes of food were donated! That is an amazing number! A huge thanks to all the kids (and their parents) that helped out with "Go '07". You guys helped out by going around the neighborhoods, giving out flyer's and collecting food. Special thanks to the kids that helped out the past two Sundays by driving the wagons. You all were amazing and better still, no injuries. We talk in Velocity about how kids can make a difference in their community and you all were a great example of that. I can't wait to see what God has for us to do next!

The Rules:Players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
Players should tag 2-8 other people and notify them they have been tagged.

Eight random facts about myself...um. Well, here they are!

1. I'm very afraid of heights, which some people find ironic because I'm tall.

2. To go along with that fear of heights, I get motion sickness. Elevators, airplanes and backseats of cars are not my favorite places to be. And for a good story about a boat ride, ask my sister about out trip to Nova Scotia...it wasn't pretty.

3. I love to work puzzles! I inherited this gift from my Mom who loves them just as much. For me, there is nothing more enjoyable than working a 1,000 piece puzzle on a cold snowy day...

4. ...unless it's the cold, snowy day itself! Winter is my favorite time of the year. Again, I love sled riding, snow shoveling and the quiet in the early morning after a snowfall. I'm a homebody and a foot of snow gives me a reason to stay inside (and work puzzles)!

5. I am scared of the Loch Ness Monster...I can't even justify OR explain that one. It still scares me even today if I think about it while I'm on a boat or in deep water. Though at least I never had to be scared of him coming out from under my bed. (No laughing please)

6. I'd take a piece of pie over a piece of cake any day of the week. Though if cake was all that was offered... I especially love pie that either my Mom or Jean Vacha made.

7. I love Star Wars and have about 150 action figures that are just waiting for my nephew to grow up and enjoy them. I got into collecting them after college and I regretted selling my small collection from when I was a kid. No, I don't have them decorating my home, or have them out on display! They're stored in the attic, waiting for Carson, or Andrew West to come over.

8. For the last random thing, I LOVE to read. I read all the time. I'd buy a new book over buying food any day of the week. I used to read while delivering newspapers. I read at red lights, while drying my hair, and during TV commercials. I love recorded books too! In fact, that's why I bought a MP3 player last year...to download books from the Internet. And I read fast! I made it though the last Harry Potter book in just under 9.5 hours.

I'm tagging Gordo, Sue Kauffman and Tina Lawver. Let's see your answers guys!

Every morning at KidsCamp, the adult counselors took their breakfast and went off to another room to eat. It served two purposes. First, a moment away from the kids, reason enough. The kids there were great, but it was nice to have a quiet meal everyday. The second reason, was to have devotions. Every morning someone shared what God was doing in their life. It was nice for me because I didn't know any of the adults there and it was a chance to get to know them better.

The one devotion that stood out to me the most was the last. A really great guy named Wayne Smith (and no, not the pastor from SCC for any readers in KY) shared about how he had gotten back in touch with a boy that had been a camper. The first question he asked Wayne, after all that time, was did he "remember" him? Wayne said what struck him was the kid just wanted someone to care about him and remember him. It was a reminder about how important each moment we spend with kids at church can be. That time listening and encouraging them could be the only time a grown-up ever tells them how much Jesus loves them and how special they are.

We're getting ready to gear up for the fall and I'm praying that we have a ton of moments like that. Moments where kids feel loved and wanted and remembered, even if it's the only time that week. ESPECIALLY if it's the only time that week. Can't wait for the fall!

Well, I survived my first time as camp counselor, and it was a blast! We took 10 kids from NewPointe and if I have my way, we'll take even more next year. What was the best part about camp? Spending unlimited time with the kids. Sunday mornings go WAY too fast to spent time with every kid, hear every story and answer every question. But five days with them was just about right. I had girls from church in my dorm and I think I can safely say we had a blast hanging out together.

The weather was nice, the speaker was good, and the food tasty. And thanks to Dawn (the other counselor in my room) I only got pranked once!!! Not bad from what I've heard. The only close call occurred right before we left. The picture posted was taken as we were ready to leave. Problem is there is someone missing...Madison! Don't worry, we didn't leave her behind, just left out of the picture.

Before I left, I just didn't know what to expect or how things would go. But now I find myself excited that in LESS than 12 months, I'll get to go back. Big thanks to Cassidy, Mackenzie, Madison, Roxanne, Katie, Sarah, Nicholas, Brandon, Noah and Christian. You guys were great examples of the virtues that we teach in Velocity. You showed friendship, courage and cooperation every day and it was noticed. Let's do it again next year!

In about 35 minutes, a group of kids from Velocity will be heading for camp for 5 whole days! So this isn't so much a post but a request for prayer. It's going to be a great week, and everyone's excited!!! See everyone next Sunday!

I'm sure that there aren't many new Adam and Eve jokes out there. But we had one created in Velocity last Sunday. Vern (the greatest storyteller ever!) was telling the story of the Garden of Eden, and using questions to help the kids stay connected. You know, "who tempted Eve?", the snake. "What did God ask them NOT to do?", eat the fruit. Well, to keep them on their toes, he threw out this one. "What was Adam's last name?" Without missing a beat, some little boy yelled out, "Eve". Maybe you had to be there, but that one is still making me laugh. I love how kids don't filter what they are thinking, and they don't say "I'm sorry" everytime they're wrong. They know it's okay to make mistakes and it's part of learning. And in Velocity, we learn a lot from the kids.