Did You Say More?

The LOG #72 team finally got to meet last night - even though it was snowing.  Luckily, a lot more people were able to be there because there was a lot less snow than the previous week.  You'll find some more photos from the #72 team meeting below.

But the question remains - are we getting even more snow this weekend?

The most recent weather reports indicate the possibility of 2" - 4" - 6" - 8" or more of snow will fall between now and Sunday.

So I have postponed the Vertical Worship that had been announced for this Saturday evening.  I hope to get it rescheduled soon.

At this point, I'm going to say that the LOG #71 and #73 teams will meet on Sunday - the storm looks to be gone by then and we'll hope they get the roads cleared quickly.  Please drive carefully!

The snows have played havoc with everything - including the audition dates for Michiana Youth Showcase.  We have moved the Sunday auditions to February 23 - the Saturday auditions remain on February 15.  You (or your talented friends) can sign up for an audition time at www.michianayouth.org/showcase.

And - we still would love to have a few more people attend Connections next weekend (February 7-9).  We have eleven students registered and it looks to be a great weekend focused on intimate relationships - - and you can't tell me that you are not interested!  Leaders are Michelle & Josh Story, Mark & Consuela Wilson and Terry.  Sign up at www.michianayouth.org/events - or contact Terry for more info.

-------

Things You Can and Can't Do ...

Things you can't do right now:
- drive anywhere
- go outside without freezing
- think about anything except how much you want to go somewhere and do something

Things you can do right now:
- invite your friends via social media or phone / texts to be participants on your LOG weekend - they can register at www.michianayouth.org/events
- sign up for the Connections Retreat (in just a few weeks on February 7-9) - go to the same link (above)
- start practicing for your Michiana Youth Showcase audition (and sign up as well - same link) and/or encourage your talented friends to do the same.
- follow me on Twitter so you get updates even without being on Facebook
- sign up to get email links (sent to your phone) whenever you get a notification on FB

Things you might not be able to do:
- juggle crayons like Lauren.
- attend your next team meeting - they're calling for more snow - be sure to watch the FB page for more info.
- bring your potential LOG participant friends to the upcoming Vertical Worship - scheduled for this coming Saturday, February 1.  But you should go ahead and talk to them about it so they are ready to go with you if we are able to have it.

I sure miss seeing you guys!
I love snow and haven't really minded the cold, but I really don't like having to cancel team meetings and LOG events.  Hope to see you all soon.

I added a few "classic" photos from last season down below - but be sure to note the important info between here and there ...

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

Vertical Worship Night

- February 1, 2014
- 7:00pm - 9:30pm
- Firehouse Ministry Center @ Clay Church
- open to friends who have not yet attended a LOG weekend


-----

Connections: An Intimate Look at Relationships

A weekend for senior highs in which we’ll look at our most intimate relationships: spiritual, emotional and sexual

- February 7-9, 2014
- Faith Community Church
- $35.00
- open to friends who have not yet attended a LOG weekend
- register:  www.michianayouth.org/events

-----

Auditions for Michiana Youth Showcase
- Sunday, February 9, 2014
- Saturday, February 15, 2014
Sign up at www.michianayouth.org/showcase

-----

Some made it - and some didn't.

Baby, it's cold outside!  And snowy, too!

The LOG #72 team meeting got snowed out last night.  3.5" fell in about an hour right at meeting time.

Some brave souls made it to EHUM ...

Please remember our weather policy:

Whenever your school has a weather-related closure, attendance at any scheduled L.O.G. meeting or event will be optional.

As a general rule, we will plan to meet even if it snows, but will understand if your parent/s feel that it is too dangerous for driving.  Team attendance requirements will be suspended whenever transportation to/from the meeting is compromised due to inclement weather.

Please check your team FB group a few hours before your meeting time in case we decide we have to cancel.

Everybody's Doing It ...

Well - maybe not everybody - but almost everybody wants to make a connection!
  To meet someone, fall in love, get married and live happily ever after.

Right?

We invest a lot of time and energy in making connections:  looking right, acting cool and getting noticed.  And then eventually being friends, growing into love and becoming intimate.

in·•ti·•ma·•cy (noun)

1. a close personal relationship

2. a detailed knowledge resulting from a close or long association or study

3. sexual acts (used euphemistically)

--

4. easy to want – much harder to get

If we want real intimacy, maybe we need to think about how we make connections?

Con•nec•tions  (noun)

1. something that connects, joins, or relates; link or bond

2. a relationship or association

3. logical sequence in thought or expression; coherence

--

4. a weekend focused on relationships and sexuality

Here's an opportunity to make important connections:
- intimacy with God  - and - knowing one's self intimately >> so you can have intimacy with another person.

Connections: An Intimate Look at Relationships
A weekend for senior highs in which we’ll look at our most intimate relationships: spiritual, emotional and sexual

- February 7-9, 2014
- Faith Community Church
- $35.00
- open to friends who have not yet attended a LOG weekend
- register:  www.michianayouth.org/events

Unless You Have Super-Powers ...

Unless you have super-powers ...

Then you should be sure to do the following things:

- Check your Facebook notifications at least once a week - a few days before your team meeting.  More often would be even better.  You can make this go to your phone if you don't go online that often.

- Sign up to receive an email every time I add a new post to this blog - and, again, be sure your email goes to your phone.

- Follow me on Twitter - @mym4log.  I will not follow you unless you ask me to do so.

Of course, you can ask your friends on team to keep you updated on what's happening - but then they better be super-friends!

Scroll down to find more photos (thanks to Lucy!) from the LOG #71 and #73 team meetings last Sunday - but be sure to note the important info as you scroll by.

---------

Connections: An Intimate Look at Relationships

A weekend for senior highs in which we’ll look at our most intimate relationships: spiritual, emotional and sexual

- February 7-9, 2014
- Faith Community Church
- $35.00
- open to friends who have not yet attended a LOG weekend
- register:  www.michianayouth.org/events

-----

Auditions for Michiana Youth Showcase
- Sunday, February 9, 2014
- Saturday, February 15, 2014
Sign up at www.michianayouth.org/showcase

---------

Seventy TWO!!

I finally got a few photos at the LOG #72 meeting this week - - more than just two - - but not too many.  We really need someone other than me to be the camera person.

So scroll down to see the other photos - but be sure to check out the important info as you go ...

-----

Please remember to bring snacks to the team meeting.  Everyone should bring something to drink at least once during the team process: a 2 liter of pop, some juice boxes etc.

And remember to bring your name tag!

-----

Connections: An Intimate Look at Relationships

A weekend for senior highs in which we’ll look at our most intimate relationships: spiritual, emotional and sexual

- February 7-9, 2014
- Faith Community Church
- $35.00
- open to friends who have not yet attended a LOG weekend
- register:  www.michianayouth.org/events

-----

Auditions for Michiana Youth Showcase
- Sunday, February 9, 2014
- Saturday, February 15, 2014
Sign up at www.michianayouth.org/showcase

-----

The human face of ...

Jesus is sometimes referred to as the "human face of God".  God became enfleshed in Jesus Christ - became human and had a face.  When we "look" at Jesus, we see God.

But I believe that the two lovely faces above are also the human face of God.

And these faces as well - and many more that you can see below.

As we have begun this season's team process, I am so glad to see 100+ faces of team members and adult advisors each week!

In you all, I see - we can all see - God.

No one has ever seen God; but if we love on another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:12)

---------

Please remember to bring snacks to the team meeting.  Everyone should bring a 2 liter of pop, some juice boxes etc.  And remember to bring your name tag!

Connections: An Intimate Look at Relationships

A weekend for senior highs in which we’ll look at our most intimate relationships: spiritual, emotional and sexual

- February 7-9, 2014
- Faith Community Church
- $35.00
- open to friends who have not yet attended a LOG weekend
- register:  www.michianayouth.org/events

Auditions for Michiana Youth Showcase
- Sunday, February 9, 2014
- Saturday, February 15, 2014
Sign up at www.michianayouth.org/showcase

---------

A Warm Fire In A Cold World

Brrr - it's cold out!

Sitting in my (thankfully) warm home, I was reminded of this old song:

When I look at living and see the pain that people have to bear,
I look to You for their deliverance.
But your reply is simple, so defined;
it tells me to take the time to love them with a love like yours.

If I reflect a sense of unconcern, keeping your light hid,
remind me what I was before you.
‘Cause how could I keep secret, to myself, the Source of all that lives,
when all around are walking dead?

So, won’t you pour from me like a stream that never ends.
Brighten darkened corners where your light has never been.
And I want to draw people closer, drawn by your sweet love;
like a warm fire in a cold world.

Words and Music by Pete & Cindy Carlson
From the album:  Dreamer’s Dream 
© 1982 Word Music
(you can find the song on iTunes and Spotify if you want to hear it)

L.O.G. teams begin this week!  (see below for details)

L.O.G. is a great way to bring the warmth of the love of God to people that you know and care about.  Registration will be open by the first team meetings.

LOG #72 team begins this Thursday, January 9
- 7-9pm at Evangel Heights UMC (114  N Ironwood, SB)

Teams for LOG #71 and - LOG #73 begin this coming Sunday, January 12
- #71 - 2-4pm at Firehouse (17646 Cleveland Road, SB)
- #73 - 4:30pm - 6:30pm at Firehouse (17646 Cleveland Road, SB)

 -------

Connections: An Intimate Look at Relationships

A weekend for senior highs

in which we’ll look at our most intimate relationships:

spiritual, emotional and sexual

- February 7-9, 2014
- Faith Community Church
- $35.00
- open to friends who have not yet attended a LOG weekend
- register:  www.michianayouth.org/events

---------

Yay!  I'm up to 40 followers on Twitter!  Jump on the bandwagon!!!
- remember - I won't follow you unless you ask me to do so.
- find me at mym4log

Looking Back • Praying Forward

Emily Collins just noticed that I only listed 10 blessings and 10 prayers.  No one else alerted me, but I bet more of you noticed.  Click on the word "comment" below and add your own blessings and prayers ...

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

Two dozen roses on the cross during every LOG weekend ...

Twelve blessings from last year and twelve prayers for the year to come ...

12 for 2013 - 

1 - This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.This is love: not that we loved God, but that God loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sin.  (1 John 4:9-10)

2 - the blessing of having a strong group of adult leaders who give their time, talent and treasure to ensure that the teens of Michiana can share in our weekends that can last a lifetime.

3 - the blessing of 150+ great kids who served on LOG teams and shared the love of God with their friends.

4 - the blessing of reuniting with alums who are so missed.

5 - the blessing of partnerships with Faith Community Church, Evangel Heights UMC and Clay Church - and Albright UMC (even tho we haven't been there in awhile).

6 - the blessing of the service of long-time board members and new members just signing on to serve.

7 - the blessing of being in community with LOG friends in New Jersey and California.

8 - the blessing of being able to serve beyond "our own" at Bashor and SOS.

9 - the blessing of receiving $1000 from 1st Source, $500 from Kohls and three new monthly donations from LOG families - - and, of course, all the gifts from supportive families and friends.

10 - one word: bacon!


And 12 for 2014

1 - pray for the new friends whom God will bring into our LOG community this year.

2 - pray for a few more people to join the LOG #71 team.

3 - pray about whether you would benefit from the new insights and wisdom about Godly relationships that will come from our Connections retreat in February.

4 - pray about reaching out to draw in students from the Elkhart / Goshen area.

5 - pray for our Coleaders and Spirit Leaders and all who serve on LOG teams

6 - pray that local businesses will support us as we celebrate the talent of many local youth at our second Michiana Youth Showcase event in April.

7 - pray for me (Terry) - asking for God's guidance and encouragement in my professional and personal lives.

8 - pray (alright, hope) that Terry will have 100 followers on Twitter by the end of the year ... and then go "follow" him if you haven't already done so.

9 - pray that in all the things we do, both in and out of LOG, we will glorify and please God.

10 - pray that as we love one another, God will live in us and his love will be made complete in us.  (1 John 4:12)

----------

LOG teams will begin next week.  Check out the details on our new team Facebook pages (to be posted on Thursday, January 2).