Monday, November 25, 2013

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 ...

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

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

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














Thursday, November 21, 2013

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 LOGI'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 LOGWhen 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

Thursday, November 14, 2013

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:


Friday, November 1, 2013

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 ...

---

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