Similarly, I thoroughly enjoyed my third year being involved with Teen Leadership Camp,  spending time with and providing a positive experience for at-risk foster teens in Orange County.  Showing up and getting to see kids from past years, and having them remember my name was pretty amazing.   Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s happening with kids who are rather closed off and good at hiding what they’re feeling. Each year I have moments where I ask myself if the kids are being reached, if they’re being impacted, and each year I love hearing the stories that come out at the end.

I learned that I did have value,that God loved me and there is a purpose for all the bad things that have happened to me in life. – Tonya, age 16

Friday I got on the bus thinking…one more camp. When Sunday came I wanted to stay forever! -Chris,age15

Before I came to camp I thought I was the only one with problems, I have since learned that I am not the only one and people do love and care about me. – Rosa, age 14

Camp was the best experience of my life. I learned that team work is important, the ropes courses were awesome. I felt different about myself when I left. I can believe in myself because I am worthy! – Kelly, age 17

Here’s a photo of the counselors and staff for this year’s camp:

I think one of the ways my experiences this summer have stretched and are shaping me is with my desire to take advantage of opportunities in front of me to engage others.  Often unfamiliar situations with new people bring out my more introverted tendencies, but afterward I find myself wishing I had taken even more opportunities to talk with and pour into those around me.  Taking that first step to reach out to someone can be a meaningful gesture that can open doors to building trust and relationship, and is something I’m growing into :)

First, I’m returning to Minnesota for two weeks in June (and possibly another two in July) to assist CTI Music Ministries with the training of the summer missions teams traveling to Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Honduras and Guatemala.  My main role there is going to be leading worship every morning and guiding the spiritual focus of the community, but I’ll also be assisting with musical and audio training.

Then in August I’m again volunteering with Teen Leadership Foundation putting on a summer camp for foster teens in Orange County.  This is my third year helping with this camp and I’m returning because of the impact I’ve seen it have on the lives of at-risk teens.

I’m really excited about being able to be involved with each of these ministries again this summer because I believe strongly in the work each organization is doing and in the people behind each.

If you’re interested in being involved as I take on these opportunites this summer, here’s how you can help:

1) Prayer.  We’ve all heard it said that this is the most important thing, but it’s true.  I’d be honored if you would commit (by letting me know via comment below or email) that you will be praying for the teams I’m training, for the foster teens, and for me.  I’ll be posting additional prayer requests and information here during the coming weeks.

2) I need to raise $1500 to make these things happen. This will cover travel costs to and from Minnesota and for the expense of putting on the camp this summer.  While I’m in Minnesota, I’m going to continue working part time remotely to keep the support I need to raise to a minimum.  If you would like to give, you can do so online by clicking the button below.  If you would like a tax receipt, please email me and I will give you an address to mail a check to.

Thank you so much for your support, it means so much to me, but more than that I’m excited for you to take part in the work God is doing this summer through these organizations.

Happy turkey day.

Seriously, can we get some new outfits please? This could be anybody.

After the success of last year’s TLC Camps, I was asked to come back and be a part of not one, but three TLC camps this year, and couldn’t be more excited. The first camp has come and gone, but here were some highlights of the first weekend. (Names changed for privacy).

The goal is to offer life-changing paths, build hope, friendship and memories for these at-risk teens.

The next two dates are Jul 31-Aug 2 and Aug 28-30. I’m again setting a goal of raising $400, which covers the cost of one kid going to camp. Chip in and help make a difference in the life of a teenager.

You can give online here:

Also, I can’t post photos of the kids for legal reasons, but to the right are some photos on flickr of the band for the first weekend.

Teen Leedership Camps Promotional Video

http://teenleadershipfoundation.org

UPDATE Camp was fantastic, and while I didn’t quite meet my $400 goal, over $200 still went to TLC. Awesome!

Amazing.

There are so many messages fed to us, so many lies repeated continually that we begin to believe them. I need to buy this to be happy. That is what I need to do with my life. This is success.

If we don’t stop every once in a while and take a good hard look at ourselves and the decisions we’re making, and why, it’s easy to have our priorities upside down.

Stop. Question. Challenge. Think.

The idea of thesqueakerbox started forming when I thought, what if there was a place online where you could find local and indie shows as easily as you can find the big bands?

So I made one. Nothing too fancy, just local shows. Sign up, follow the bands that you like, and get an email when they add a show near you.

I hope you like it.

http://thesqueakerbox.com

where have you been my whole life?