What I Want for Christmas

OK - so I want ...
- World peace
- Dessert for everyone (enough good food as well, of course)
- "Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess ..."
But I know you can't give me those things.

Here's what you can give me for Christmas:

Christmas Reunion & Vertical Worship

Sunday, December 22

7:00pm - 9:30pm at the Firehouse

I want you!

Not just these six friends from LOG #70 team - everybody!

I want us to come together with Christmas spirit to love one another and love God.

I know, I know - some of you live too far away - and others are going far away for the holy-days.

But - if you are in town - please come by on Sunday night and give me my gift of Christmas love.  We'll laugh and sing and pray and spend some vertical time thinking about the gifts we've been given and the gifts we can give to others.

HOWEVER - please watch Facebook just in case we get bad weather and I decide we have to cancel the event.  I'll announce it by 5:00pm on Sunday.  I'll also post it to WNDU and WSBT.

Merry, merry Christmas, my friends.  I love you all!

Here's Proof ...

... that it happened:

Joe Noffsinger of 1st Source Bank handed MYM Board President Kevin Dreyer a check for $1000.00 - an gift to encourage and enhance our ministry!

We are so grateful -- and give thanks to God for this blessing and the generosity of 1st Source Bank in giving away $150,000 to over 100 local not-for-profit organizations.

And we were so pleased to have all these people (plus a few more camera-shy adults) show up to share in this awesome moment.

 

Then we celebrated at Starbucks!

I've added a few more photos below - but be sure and note the info about the last Vertical Worship of 2013:

Christmas Reunion and Vertical Worship

Sunday, December 22, 2013

7:00pm - 9:30pm

Firehouse Youth Center

Focus: Sharing of Gifts

(and Christmas cookies if everybody brings some)

The Real Story

Ok - so Ryan Rhynard guessed correctly that this is a photo of a much-younger "Terry opening a huge Christmas present". But his not-very-creative answer is better than that of the other 80+ of you who read the blog but didn't even post a comment/guess.

The real story is that when I was in my first year of college (late 1971) I was dating a girl named Bobbi.  So my younger brother, Jim, left this giant box for me on our front porch on Christmas morning.  Way down inside was a Barbie doll with a little tag around her wrist that said, "What did you say her name was?"  Gotta love smart-alek little brothers!

BTW - I still do not know who "Yellow QT" is.  Anyone?  Anyone??

There are a number of things coming up over the next few weeks:

- Sign up for LOG teams is open now: www.michianayouth.org/team

- Saturday, December 14 - Sharing Christmas at Bashor (still room for a few more to serve)

- Tuesday, December 17 - Celebrate the $1000 and Free Starbucks

- Sunday, December 22 - Vertical Worship night

More info on Facebook or contact Terry (274-5990)

Hope to see you all soon!

Good Guesses ...

105 of you viewed the last LOGBlog post - but only one of you posted your guesses!

"Yellow QT" was mostly right and wins the big prize.
(ok - it's not so big - but comes with my love and respect for knowing what's happening).

Question 1 - What can you do now that you couldn't do a week ago? 
    Yellow QT:  "become a member of #71 team"
Yes!  But #72 and #73 as well.  Each team has 10-20 members signed up so far.  We'll cap the teams at 30 until all teams have enough members to move forward.

Question 2 - where will LOG be next Saturday morning?
    Yellow QT:  "Bash Her"
Well sorta!  We won't be bashing anyone, but we will be sharing Christmas love with the youth of Bashor Home.  Check out the Facebook event and sign up if you are able to serve.

Question 3 - When is the next Vertical Worship night?
    Yellow QT:  "my birthday"
Could be - depending on if your birthday is December 22.  Current LOGgers and alums are welcome to share in an evening of fellowship and worship in our last event of 2013.

Question 4 - Where can you get a Godly perspective on relationships and sexuality?
    Yellow QT:  "connect with LOGgers"
Yellow QT clearly knew I was referring to Connections:  An Intimate Look at Relationships which is set for February 7-9, 2014 - and we already have four people signed up!

Question 5 - What is happening in this photo?

    Yellow QT:  "Meeting Phil's older brother!"
Good guess - but - no.  Not even close.   (sorry, Yellow ...)

Anyone else want to wager a guess?  I'll post the guesses and the real answer on Wednesday so leave a comment and check back tomorrow.

A Short Quiz

Post your answers as a comment - or watch for the next blog (on Tuesday) to discover what you missed ...

Question 1 - What can you do now that you couldn't do a week ago?

Question 2 - where will LOG be next Saturday morning?

Question 3 - When is the next Vertical Worship night?

Question 4 - Where can you get a Godly perspective on relationships and sexuality?

Question 5 - What is happening in this photo?

Check back on Tuesday ...

Five days later ...

Some of the things for which I give thanks to God ...

My family, my parents and my extended family

The privilege of following God's call (89 LOGs and counting)
and all who help make it possible

The joy of music (not actually sure about ukeleles tho') (jk)

Humor and funny people

All the adults who make LOG possible

The LOG community - past, present and ...

... future!

Stop and give thanks to God for some of the blessings in your life.

Do it - right now!

Then be sure to read the info below so you know what's happening ...


Christmas Party for Bashor
- Saturday, December 14
- leave South Bend at 8:00am - home around 2:00pm
- please let Terry know if you are able to help

Vertical Worship Night and Christmas Reunion
- Sunday, December 22
- 7:00pm at the Firehouse
- open to all senior highs and LOG alums

Team Sign Ups
- Coming soon ... stay tuned!

The L.O.G. High (and the crash)

The L.O.G. high.  We've all felt it, right?

Even if you've never attended L.O.G., you probably have felt something like it following a week of church camp or a powerful mission trip or retreat.

Just in case, here are some photos that will bring back some memories:

 

 The warmth - the joy - (the craziness) - the love of a L.O.G. weekend - and it even goes home with you ... for awhile, right?

Then comes the crash.

 

I saw the first Facebook post about the crash just three days after L.O.G. #69.

But here's the good news:  it's natural.  And kinda necessary.

If you lived in a perpetual L.O.G. high, you'd annoy the heck out of a lot of people, never sleep and probably need drugs to calm down enough to study.

And - then there's this old song by Amy Grant:

I'd love to live on a mountaintop, fellowshipping with the Lord,

I'd love to stand on a mountaintop, 'cause I love to feel my spirit soar

But I've got to come down from that mountaintop to the people in the valley below

Or they'll never know that they can go to the mountain of the Lord

The L.O.G. high feels wonderful, that's for sure.  But even better is when you come down from "the mountaintop" and the high wears off but your life stays the same.

You're more loving.  You're more accepting.  You spend more time serving and caring for others.  In your heart, you're singing, "I will never be the same again ...".

And people notice!

And then you can "light up the darkness" and proclaim that the "kingdom is now".

We hope you'll keep coming back to the L.O.G. mountaintop by attending Vertical Worship and signing up to serve on a L.O.G. team next season.

We also hope and pray that you'll dig in at your church or youth group (or get connected if you are not currently a part of one) and strive to live in the Love Of God everyday.

Scroll down to see a few more of my favorite photos from the recent L.O.G. weekends - but be sure to check out all the important info on the way down ...

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Hacienda "Gives Back" Fundraiser

- Tuesday, November 26

- Hacienda at 100 Center on Lincolnway in Mishawaka

- Stop by anytime, but most people will be there between 6:00pm and 7:30pm or so

And be sure to bring this coupon:

L.O.G. Alumni Thanksgiving Gathering

- Saturday, November 30

- 7:00pm at the Firehouse 

Final week to order MYM / LOG spirit wear
- Order online through December 1

- www.michianayouth.org/logwear

Bashor Christmas Party

- Saturday, December 14

- Leave South Bend at 8am - home around 2pm

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L.O.G. #70

L.O.G. #70 - another great weekend!

We had 17 first-timers and 41 youth and adult team members.

Our theme was "Light Up the Darkness" from the song "Your Love" by Brandon Heath.

Our CoLeaders were Isaac Godshalk and Mary Kate Hall (and Mary Kate was trying to recover from a nasty bout of pneumonia).

Emily Collins once again sent these profiles of the Co's ...

Name: Isaac Godshalk
Grade/School: Senior at LaVille

How long have you been involved with LOG? This is my fourth year. My participant was #49, and I've been on a spring and fall team every year since.

What do you like to do outside of LOG? I tend to just play video games and read, but bike a fair bit during the warmer months.

Tell us something we might not know about you: I live on a dairy farm.

What is your favorite thing about your fellow co-leader? She worked ridiculously hard to make the weekend happen and was willing to just make a decision when neither of us was sure what to do.

Terry's hair: mullet or not? Discuss: Yes, it's a mullet.

--

Name: Mary Kate Hall  
Grade/School: I am a senior at Adams
 
How long have you been involved with LOG?  I've been involved with LOG for 3 years (since LOG 48 in November 2010), and I've been on several teams in that time.
 
What do you like to do outside of LOG?  When I'm not at LOG, I enjoy running, mock trial, watching Grey's Anatomy and being with friends and family.
 
Tell us something we might not know about you: You might not know that I am seriously addicted to coffee! Although I was frequently spotted at team meetings with my Starbucks, I also drink coffee every morning and I've worked at two different coffee shops.
 
What is your favorite thing about your fellow co-leader? My favorite thing about Isaac is his sense of humor and his wisdom and insight. I always look at something a in a different "light" after my conversations with him. I am so lucky that we got paired together even after we asked Seth to put us together.
 
Terry's hair: mullet or not? Discuss: Definitely a mullet. He's in denial.

---------------------------

Last ND Program Sales - this coming Saturday, November 23.
- contact Terry if you can help from 12noon - 4:00pm

Vertical Worship:  Thanks-Giving
- Sunday, November 24
- 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the Firehouse Ministry Center
- open to all senior highs (even if haven't attended LOG) and LOG alums

LOG #69 and #70 Reunion at Hacienda
- Tuesday, November 26
- Hacienda on Lincolnway in Mishawaka
- most people are there from 6:00pm - 7:30pm or so

LOG Alumni Thanksgiving Gathering
- Saturday, November 30
- 7:00pm - 9:00pm (plus maybe food afterward)
- Firehouse Ministry Center

L.O.G. #69

L.O.G. #69 was a wonderful weekend - full of joy and love.

We had 22 first-time participants and 52 youth and adults served on our team.

The theme was "The Kingdom Is Now" from the song "Water Fall On Me" by Jonathon Reuel.  Wait until you hear this song!

The team Co-Leaders were Jenae Longencker and Sarah Tomas Morgan.  Emily Collins sent these profiles of the Co's:

Jenae Longenecker
Grade/School: Senior at Trinity School at Greenlawn
How long have you been involved with LOG? My participant was LOG #49, which was the fall of my freshman year. I came back for team as a sophomore, and the rest is history!
What kind of things do you like to do when you aren't at LOG? I absolutely love Mock Trial. It's ridiculously stressful but so worth it! When I have downtime, I also really enjoy creating art, especially making collages and watercolor painting!
Tell us something we might not already know about you. I absolutely adore Harry Potter. I stopped counting after I had read each book 18 times, and that was a few years ago:)
What is your favorite thing about your fellow co-leader? Probably the telepathic connection that we have. Or the fact that we have been best friends for 10 years. She's been there for me no matter what, and she knows me better than anyone. I am beyond grateful for Sarah!
Terry's hair: mullet or not? Discuss. It really depends on the season! He always cuts it in the summer, so it's not really a mullet right now.

Name: Sarah Tomas Morgan
Grade/School: Senior at Trinity School at Greenlawn
How long have you been involved with LOG?: Three years: I was a participant at #57 the fall of my sophomore year, and on team for #62 and #68 as a junior.
What kind of things do you like to do when you aren't at LOG? I do mock trial and chamber choir through school. Apart from that, I like to play violin, bike, and read both philosophy and Harry Potter.
Tell us something we might not already know about you. I LOVE SNOW. I live for LOG weekends and the first snowfall!
What is your favorite thing about your fellow co-leader? Jenae has conscientious and creative insights  into everything she encounters. She consistently changes the way I look at the world, making it a more beautiful place! Jenae and I also happen to have been best friends since third grade.
Terry's hair: mullet or not? Discuss: Wait...do you mean Phil? :)

 ------------------------

 Watch for info about LOG #70 (and the Co's) next week.

In the meantime, sure hope to see you at Chickin Dinner on Saturday.  Text or call Terry (574-274-5990) if you need more info.

 And remember Vertical Worship on Sunday, November 24 - 7-9pm at Firehouse.  This is open to everyone from LOG #69 and #70 (plus other LOGgers and alums).  Focus on Thanks-giving!

One more reminder:

Light Up the Darkness

You may well have seen this pumpkin parable before, but it bears repeating:

God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off you; opens you up and gets rid of all the yucky stuff.  Then He gives you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.  (author unknown)

L.O.G. #70 team had fun carving pumpkins on Halloween night.

Some of us even came in costume:

Check out some more photos from LOG #70 team (thanks to Seth) below - but be sure to read the info as you scroll by ...

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Next to last Notre Dame Game:  Saturday, November 2
- still need a few people to go with us please.  Call Terry 274-5990.

Last LOG #69 Team Meeting:  Sunday, November3
- finish up project work at 1:00pm before special dedication meeting at 2:00pm

Please remember to return:
- parent-help-with-a-meal form
- medical form
- $65 team fee

L.O.G. #69 weekend is November 8-10
- let me know if you want to help with a meal
- send your blessings asap (to surround the 21 participants in love)
- chicken dinner on Saturday night

MYM / LOG spirit wear
You can place online orders through November 26th for delivery before Christmas.
http://www.sportsindiana.com/webstore/MYM_LOGwear.html

Do You Tweet? 
I still only have 15 followers and am starting to feel un-loved!  Plus - it's another good way to keep up on stuff as we get close to our weekends.  Please follow me!

 ---

"carve me, carve me!"

Bryce with a knife ...

Looks like an orange apple ...

fun at the team overnight

What I Learned Last Weekend

Last weekend, I traveled to the Cleveland, OH area to observe a youth leadership training retreat.  Leadership training is an area I want LOG to focus on in the future, so I went to see what I could learn.

I learned a lot!

- I learned a few new games and activities

- I was reminded of the value of experiential learning vs traditional classroom style

- I picked up some good ideas about how to train leaders

- I made connection with a couple of new colleagues in ministry

But I really learned was that I love LOG!

I love what we do - I love how we do things.  

I love who we are - students, adults, friends.

I enjoyed being in Ohio - but I missed being with you.  

I am so grateful to God for the privilege of leading MYM and sharing in the Love Of God the way we do.  I am so thankful for each one of you and for the time we have together.

I am so proud of what we've done - of the community that we have and the joy we find in serving God in the unique and special way we call LOG.

I can't wait to see you next time!

Scroll down to see some more of Lucy's photos from the LOG #69 team meeting (we really need someone to shoot pics for us at #70 team) but be sure to check out the important info between here and there.  As we get closer to the weekends, there will be lots to keep in mind so don't skip the info ...

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THE LAST Tuesday Tune-Up: 7:00pm - 8:30pm at Albright UMC in Mishawaka
**** for more info, see the previous LOGBlog post

Snacks for Team Meetings:
LOG #69 - Zoé Z and ______________  (this is our last team meeting / dedication)
LOG #70 - Lauren Str & John P (remember - we do not start until 7:30pm)

Next to last Notre Dame Game:  Saturday, November2

Please remember to return:
- parent-help-with-a-meal form
- medical form
- $65 team fee

MYM / LOG spirit wear
You can place online orders through November 26th for delivery before Christmas.
http://www.sportsindiana.com/webstore/MYM_LOGwear.html

Do You Tweet? 
I still only have 15 followers and am starting to feel un-loved!  Plus - it's another good way to keep up on stuff as we get close to our weekends.  Please follow me!

 ---

 

This is Lucy (and Jolai).  Now you know why SHE takes the photos!  (jk) Thanks, Lucy!

Indescribable!

The L.O.G. #70 team watched part of an awesome video featuring a message by Louie Giglio. 

Based on Chris Tomlin's song "Indescribable", pastor Louie Giglio leads us to recognize the amazing love of God as expressed in the vastness of our universe.

It's about 45 minutes long, but be sure to watch the first 8 minutes or so - and then the last 5 minutes.  Even if you have seen it before, it will move you to praise and thanksgiving.

Copy and paste this link:  http://vimeo.com/23304568

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Both LOG teams are entering the final stretch now - most participants are confirmed and project work is getting wrapped up.  Please be prayerful these days!  Pray for our co's, our teams.  Pray that God will do amazing things through us and our participants will have weekends that will last a lifetime.

---

And please pray for me as I travel to Ohio this weekend (missing the LOG #70 overnight and the LOG #69 team meeting) to observe a leadership training event near Cleveland.  I feel God leading me/us to a new focus on how we can enhance our leadership training and offer it to more youth and adults in the Michiana area.

Thanks to our fabulous adult teams for stepping up and making it possible for me to be gone even at this crucial time of the LOG season.

---

Tuesday Tune-Up: 7:00pm - 8:30pm at Albright UMC in Mishawaka
**** for more info, see the previous LOGBlog post

Snacks for Team Meetings:
LOG #69 - Alyssa and ___________
LOG #70 - Melinda and Wyatt for overnight / Lauren & John for next week

Next to last Notre Dame Game:  Saturday, November2
If you haven't helped yet (or even if you have) can you save the date?

Please remember to return:
- parent-help-with-a-meal form
- medical form
- $65 team fee

MYM / LOG spirit wear
You can place online orders through November 26th for delivery before Christmas.