Youth and Family Retreat Day 2-3

We had a very spiritually uplifting retreat. Our young people had a chance to really bond with each other. A thank-you to everyone who attended, prepared food, transported, chaperoned, and prayed for the success of our outing together. It was hard to choose which photos to display here-- there are many others. Let me know if you would like to see the rest.

Alexa Smelser and boyfriend and brother Ryan

Kelli and Levi O'Neal

Willie and Ed Baker

Our Saturday morning devotional included a skit about claiming to be faithful (putting on a mask) for certain people (like the preacher or teacher), but then taking the mask off and acting like a non-Christian the rest of the time. This was a fun introduction to the lesson. Here you see (with bags on their faces) James Combs. Tyler Gentry, Brett Nasser, and playing the part of the Sunday School Teacher, Monica Baker.
Here they are with masks off

Jonathan Colburn and Jordan Lawson pose out on the deck of the retreat cabin-- this is where the boys had a lesson to prepare to lead our church services on Sunday. A BIG thank-you to the guys-- they did a great job leading singing, reading scripture, overseeing communion, and preaching and praying on Sunday. It was quite impressive.
Cody Riggs looks over the lesson for Sunday

Here we are preparing to leave the cabin for the river. On board are James Combs, Matt Slagley, and Gatlin Hufstedler.

Debbie Cook at a special devo with the girls, which included making communion bread for the church service on Sunday. Her lesson included reading scriptures about the importance and meaning behind the unleavened bread.

Matt Colburn, Dillon Cagle, and Dallas Cagle during the boys devo on the deck.

Sandy and Tommy Gibson joined us Saturday for the river experience~

Debbie Combs holding the newest member of the Ed Baker family~ "Shaggy Maggie" their new wiener dog. She became every one's instant friend!

James Combs ready to go tubing

Tyler Gentry

Here they go!

A lot of the kids went rope jumping into the river-- I couldn't get any closer for the photos, but they had a fun time.

Brittany Sanders in the river

Jonathan Colburn

Monica Baker

Gatlin, James, Matt S.

Our chef for the weekend, Lisa Hufstedler-- she did a great job!!

Dallas Cagle prepares skewers for the marshmallow roast Sat. night

Brett Hufstedler and Chastity Sullivan

Dillon Cagle and Cody Riggs

Gabriel Bonner throwing Amos into the water-- SPLASH!

Mac Morris, Tyler Gentry, Tanner Gregory, and Brett Nasser at the pool.

Canoe

Getting ready to jump

I took a picture of Kelli O'Neal, who was taking a picture of some of the damage around Spring River. In Feb., much of the park we were at was under water, and much of the damage remains.

Gatlin, James, Derek Farrer coming out of the Springs.

I think Anna Cagle was trying to find a way to cool off. The heat index was 107 degrees today!

Debbie Cook

Ashley Baker at the pool

Gatlin Hufstedler

Kelsie and Kara with Janie Cagle

Matt Slagley

James Combs

Kelsie, Kara, Brett, and in the water, Janie and Tyler.

Chef Rodney Hufstedler gets the grill fired up for our burger and hot dogs for lunch today

Ashley, Brett, Chastity, and Kayla

Kaitlyn, Carrie, and Chastitiy Colburn floating lazily down the river

Here Matt Colburn is-- he was pulling all of them along!

Ashley and Kayla

Tanner Gregory

Mac Morris taking a rest

Getting ready to float down Spring River

Here they come!

Jonathan was first in line for lunch!

Cliff and Chastity Henry

Aimee Bonner

For our devo Sat. night, I had the kids hold large nails and imitate the crucifixion. It got very tiring for them to hold their arms up for just a few minutes. We talked about how painful Jesus' death was. Thanks to Jordan, Beth, and Ashley for helping me with the demonstration.

We had a game about being blindfolded and eating bananas. Thanks to Mac, Brett and Tyler for helping.

Matt Wall arrived late-- he was playing baseball this weekend. Here he is posing with Tanner.

Chris Wall

Drake, Michelle, Kyle and Maci Smelser

Mac Morris and Matt Wall at the marshmallow roast

Jonathan

The campfire

Our devo ended with pinning what prevents us from serving God fully to the cross. Answers included being too busy, my friends, not getting up for church, not reading my Bible, etc.