Not to be missed pics from Trail West!

A local band known as the Buenacorns

Yippee!

My Little Pony

Hey, Dave, Dan, Leanna, and Eric send their regards!!!

Saranac Lake - More pictures of crazy fun!

Tubing!

Zach from the Beaches

Jon at the high ropes!

Stanton girls at the lake!

One of the zany competitions of the Canadiator Games

The beautiful dining hall

So, how lucky are we to be having such a great time here at Saranac! This camp is exquisitely beautiful and the program team is creating days full of fun activities and opportunities for us all to learn more about Jesus and how much He cares for us.

It's Thursday here ... and, we wish you all were here with us. It truly is the best week of our lives.

100+ kids are having the time of their lives at Saranac Lake in upstate New York!

Down at the Lake

Pirate Dinner

At the beach (of Lake Saranac) after the volleyball tournament

Stealth Obstacle Course - First Night

On the dock at the boathouse when we first arrived

All, y'all! We're here at Saranac Lake in upstate New York! Look at all the crazy fun we're having here ... yes, it is unbelieveable here. We've had two days of wild activities which included a volleyball tournament, Canadiator games (picture crazy competitive games on the field near the lake), and a stealth obstacle course which included a 50 foot slide in to the freezing lake!!! These kids are having the time of their lives!!! We've got a terrific camp speaker, Mike Kramer, from Virginia. He's sharing amazing talks with us.

Stay tuned.

More pictures coming soon.

Are you ready for the BEST week of your life? More crazy fun than you've ever had before ... at Sharp Top Cove next week!

The Blob at Sharptop Cove -- 5 more days until Urban goes to Jasper, Georgia!

I had to put this up again; it's so good!

Are you ready?

Saranac in 6 days!

JAX Young Life will be taking about 90 kids to camp in upstate New York this Saturday. We needs lots of prayers for:

• a safe journey for all
• that more people in our area will find a way to continue contributing to the campership fund (many of the kids are not able to cover the cost in full this year)
• that each of these high schoolers will find spiritual nourishment on this trip

Janell Marino, Elizabeth Brooke, Helen and Dave Balz and I (Edith Katz) will be going up for the week to support and care for the leaders that are guiding these kids.

How fortunate are we to have this opportunity to see God's work in action.

What's your favorite Bible verse?

At the bottom of this post, you can click on the word 'Comment' and add your favorite Bible verse. Let's see how many we can get!

The Annual Fletcher YL Beard Design Competition

And the shaving begins


Ah, another beard!

Hmmm ... dreds or a confucious look?

Braids?

That's some serious hair

Only at Young Life.

Come to The Loop for dinner tonight!

We need as many people as possible to go to the LOOP from 4-9 today and buying lots of food so Young Life can send more kids to camp this summer.

The Loop is donating 15% of your bill to go to help fund kids in Jacksonville going to camp!

Don't cook at home tonight and join us!

Prayer by Jim Rayburn, Young Life Founder

Dear Lord,
Give us the teenagers that we may lead them to thee. Our hearts ache for the millions of young people who remain untouched by the Gospel and for the tragically large population of those who have dropped by the wayside and find themselves without spiritual guidance.

Help us to give them a chance, oh Father, a chance to become aware of thy Son's beauty and healing power in the might of the Holy Spirit. Oh, Lord Jesus, give us the teenagers, each one at least long enough for a meaningful confrontation with thee.

We are at best unprofitable servants, but thy grace is sufficient. Oh, thou Holy Spirit, give us the teenagers. For we love them and know them to be awfully lonely.

Dear Lord, give us the teenagers.

Amen.

Bebo Norman - Walk Down This Mountain

A favorite Young Life song for me.

The Panama City Boys

Burning gas, spendin cash, with a mullet and a mustache .. Living life for Panama City baby ... weak pick up lines and sweet mullets! Young Life leaders will do anything to get kids to a Young Life Camp, won't they?

Look how relaxed we are ... at Family Camp

Jim and me outside the club room ... total relaxation

Jim, Amy and Dan relaxing near the lake

It just doesn't get any better than this, really.

Sign up now.

$100 per adult/kids 9+ for the weekend - lodging, meals and activities all included.

$50 per kid (3-8)

Infants (0-2) FREE

Family camp - A great getaway and a spiritual renewal

The cabins at Southwind are painted beautiful carribean colors

Here's the pool which is opened up during *free* time (that's when you have time to do what you want after the organized activities!

Look at the beautiful walkway through these trees with the lake just beyond

When we go to Southwind, we forget about all of our responsibilities in the real world while we are there and get a refresh to both our family life and our spiritual life. Please join us this year! The drive to Ocala, where the camp is located is about 2 hours and you can leave your worries behind on the drive down! We leave right after work on Friday in time to get there for the evening activities.

Here's Jim and me on the giant swing ... at Family Camp

In this picture, we are slowly being pulled up very high (did I mention *very high*?) Once we got way up there, they let us go, and whoa, what a ride!

PS this is nothing compared to the Flying Squirrel of which I have no photos! I was too chicken to try that last year (or the year before that). Maybe this year.

Are you signed up yet? Call me 904-607-2751. Chris Robinson and his family are signed up!!! Woo-hoo!

Shaving cream on a VERY LARGE balloon at Family Camp

Here we are, at club at Family Camp, and the kids have just put shaving cream all over a giant balloon ... wonder what happened next? Surely something that the kids in the audience we're rolling on the floor laughing about!

Human bowling and tug of war

Last year, we did human bowling!

And good ole fashion tug of war!

The activities are different each year --- we never know what to expect --- and we feel like kids again!

Life-sized jenga at club at Family Camp

How fun is this? Bring the kiddies, gran kiddies, someone elses's kiddies --- or just yourselves to have a rip roarin' time. Are you ready for this? Come on with us ... seriously, you will have so much fun!

Family camp at southwind ... April 17th - 19th

The Unbelievables - the characters from Family Camp last year

Their favorite phrase was "U are unbelievable!"

There always seems to be so much going on that we never really get the quality time we want with our families. Young Life has designed a weekend for the entire family. This is a relaxed weekend away from the busy life but with plenty activities for all.

Jim and I started going to Family Camp weekend in 1997 and have rarely missed a year since then! And we're sending in our check today to reserve our spot for this year.

Please consider coming with us ... we guarantee you'll have tons of fun with us! Call David Bast (904-652-7947) or me, Edith Katz (904-607-2751) for more information.

PS Don't tell anyone, but I overheard that Dave Bast and Dan McLintock are going to lead the program this year (i.e., that means they will be the funny characters). We need a great BIG group of Jacksonville folks to *rule* at this year's Family Camp, don't we? We don't want Tampa or Orlando to have more folks there than us!!!

A WYLD February for Jacksonville kids

Bolles/Episcopal 7th & 8th graders and Fletcher middle school kids went for a WyldLife weekend at Young Life's Southwind, FL camp in early February. Beautiful weather on Saturday even got kids down the slide and into the freezing pool - the Polar Bear Plunge.

Look for more news soon about WyldLife summer camp July 3-8.

Real kids of genius ... ms never have a bad hair day

Teacher Iris Coleman AKA BJ (Becky Jo), giving the kids a life lesson about about planting seeds at PHCA

Real kids of genius ... mr dining room condiment chugger man

Club 904 at Raines High School

Raines High School Club "904" Guys and Girls getting hyped on a Monday night.

Sergeant Dreads, Freddie and Andrea ... at Butler Middle School

Do you know these characters at Butler Middle School WyldLife club? Why, it's ... Sergeant Dreads who is "dreadful" giving orders to high school Wyldlife leader Freddie at Butler Middle School. He's hated by the kids who he threatens to run out of his mess hall (the cafeteria). Wyldlife team leader Andrea taunts him behind his back.

Meet Christa ... leading at Paxon High School

Christa, leader at Paxon, with her husband, Buster

I was born in Charleston, SC and grew up in a church there. I became a Christian at a young age.

Throughout the summers during college, I worked at Ridge Haven Camp in NC. I served there as a counselor for 4 summers and then went back as a camp director. I thoroughly love working with kids especially in the camp setting. Throughout my time there, I met other counselors that had at one point or another been involved with YL.

My husband and I lived in Virginia for a few years where I taught school, and he served as a transportation officer in the US Army. We also helped out with the youth group at church. In 2001 we moved to the Atlanta area, and we both started working for a small Christian school. Many of our students were involved in YL, and I had met a few die hard YL volunteers at church.

Last year, my husband decided to join the Navy as a chaplain. Before leaving Atlanta, I inquired about YL opportunities here in Jacksonville, and that's when I came in contact with Danna. I am now a volunteer with the Paxon team where we hope to get a club started soon.

Here are a few more interesting facts that Christa shared too!

During 10 years of teaching, I've taught K-3rd special ed (various disabilities), 2nd grade, K-6th music, high school drama and choir, and middle school Bible, Christian Living, choir, and music history. I took calligraphy in college and still enjoy it as a hobby. I originally started out as a piano major and switched my junior year to Special Ed. I love reading theology/philosophy books. As a child, I made more hospital visits than both of my older brothers combined. I love critters, and I currently have two cats named Jeb and George and two dogs named Fred and Barney.

Saranac Camp Tour

You know you want to go ... to Sarinac

Sarinac Village ... upstate new york

An interview with ... Jean Tanzler-Donahue, olympic speedwalker

Supporting Stanton YL Club

Rose S and Janell M at Stanton YL Club last Monday night. Aren't they beautiful!!

Stanton Boy’s Soccer Team Wins Regional Final… and heads to the State semi-final Final Four!

What a thrilling night! Last Friday night (the 13th no less), the Stanton boy’s soccer team beat rival Gulf Breeze 3-1 in the Regional Final game. Gulf Breeze had beaten Stanton in the Regional Final the past two years, ending their quest for the State Championship. Ten minutes into the first half, one of Young Life’s own campaigners, Andrew Heaney drew first blood to put the Blue Devils up 1-0. Gulf Breeze came back and tied the game going into the second half. But the night belonged to Stanton, with Will Cobb scoring two goals to wrap up the game with a 3-1 victory.

We congratulate Stanton Young Life members Andrew, Mike, Dylan, Ryan, Dorian, and Emma (team manager) on a successful season. Stanton plays Nease in the State semi-finals game Thursday night in Tampa. Good luck, Blue Devils!

Celebrity night at Stanton

Yes, it is the Jonas Brothers!

So okay… Janell here. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into last Monday when I showed up at Stanton Young Life Celebrity club night. First of all, the music was awesome. What other club can boast having a WORLD RENOWNED ROCK STAR/OLYMPIAN (see previous blog on Dale Batman, Olympian) as the lead musician, speaker, and general all around good guy leader? Yes… Dan McLintock of Inspection 12/John Carver Band/Dale Batman fame leads this totally wonderful, totally wacky club.

Where else can you go on a Monday night to see the Jonas Brothers, Mary Poppins, and Rosa Parks all on the same stage? The enthusiasm was contagious. The evening started out with a very “grown up” version of musical chairs. I must say, those Stanton students are quite competitive - bodies were flying everywhere! This was followed by a most unusual game of, for lack of a better name, what we will call ‘Blended Concoctions.” Rosa Parks (a.k.a. Rose Shabaya) and the lovely Liz Kanning of the Class of 2000 hosted this lively, yet highly unusual event.

The evening rounded out with great music, including selections from Cold Play, The Foundations, and Bill Withers. Again… where can you go to hear ‘Lean on Me’ mixed with ‘Build Me Up Buttercup,’ ‘Viva La Vida,’ and Christian worship songs all in one venue? The music was followed by a very inspirational talk by Dan on Luke 9:46-48 and the love Jesus had for the children. His point being that the lowliest among us – as Dan put it, the masses, the bourgeois, the peons – are the ones most loved by Jesus. “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all – he is the greatest.” I was most touched by Dan’s comment that he’d rather be there - hanging out with high school kids, than on a stage playing music concert style. How’s that for priority setting!

I really never thought of myself as normal… until Monday night. Thanks, Stanton Young Life! Seriously… thanks to Dan, Eric, Mary, Rose, Marcie, Davis, Stephanie, Travis, and the Stanton students for making me feel welcome. You guys ROCK!

Stanton YL club meets every other Monday night at Grace Church of Avondale. Everyone is welcome!

Meet Janell and Mike, JAX Young Life Committee Members

Hi. My name is Janell, and I LOVE Young Life! I am married to Mike, and this year we celebrate our 26 anniversary. We have two awesome kids (Lauren and Michael), two sponsored kids (one in Peru - Antonella, and one in Albania – Brunilda), two cats, one dog, and a granddog. I was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and yes… I AM A PITTSBURGH STEELERS FAN!

I have an incredibly difficult time saying ‘no’. I am addicted to sugar, Young Life, God, Access Church, my middle school girls small group, my marriage, our kids, dogs, cats, horses, alpacas, our couples small group, friends, books, Andy Stanley, and BSF... certainly not in that order! I value humility, loyalty, friendship, and truth. In these uncertain times, one of my favorite scripture passages is:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

I wish I had known of Young Life when I was a teenager, but didn’t hear of this amazing ministry until our daughter was a freshman in high school. Since then, we have jumped on board and are rabid (or maybe the word is avid) supporters of Young Life. (I think both rabid and avid are applicable!) I have had the opportunity to serve as a campaigner leader, prayer and parent support partner, adult guest, and now as a committee member with a focus on leader care. Keep in mind, leaders… I have a difficult time saying, ‘no,’ so let me know how I can help make your job easier! Bring it on!

Hi. I’m Mike (Janell’s husband). As you may have guessed, we share the multiple children, but the pets are all hers (especially the “granddog”). The pets and I occupy the same living space and tolerate one another (easier for them, since I provide the food, shelter, and medical care), but have no real “relationship” that I can discern.

Janell and I “discovered” Young Life at the same time, back when Lauren indicated a desire to go to Windy Gap. Since then, both Lauren and Michael have gone to camp and been on Work Crew (Lauren also has been on Summer Staff), Janell and I have been Adult Guests at both Windy Gap and Crooked Creek), and Janell has served as a leader. We’ve continued to stay involved after our children graduated from high school, and now both serve on the Jacksonville Committee. We were honored to be asked, and look forward to helping out in any way(s) possible.

To any adults out there who haven’t been and/or are contemplating being adult guests: First, DO IT! You’ll come back encouraged about the next generation of teenagers, energized by the experience, and renewed in faith when you see the amazing Young Life volunteers and staff at work in teenagers’ lives. Second, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about the adult guest experience; it’s the most affordable yet meaningful and memorable “vacation” you’ll ever have.

I can get a bit wordy when I’m armed with a keyboard, so I’ll stop now before I bore you (any further). Oh, and in closing: “How about those STEELERS!?!”

Gummy worms and clothes pins

The contest: who can get the most gummy worms out of a bin filled with freezing cold ice cubes?

The contest: who can put the most clothespins on their partner's face? ow. double-ow.

All brought to you by the Terry Parker YL leadership team, left to right: Gwen Farley, Michael Renstrom, Liz Shults, Elizabeth Etherton and Joe McKenzie.

Happy valentine's day

For God so loVed the world,

that He GAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life.

John 3:16

9 out of 10 new YL leaders say contact work is the hardest part initially (based on a really lame survey that didn’t really happen)

Calling all experienced leaders. We are looking for ideas on how to make contact work easier, especially for newer leaders. Rose Shabaya from the Stanton team shared a great idea with us.

Each week, Rose has one of her campaigner girls pick a dessert she most loves, then Rose makes (or buys) it, and brings it to lunch at school. She is sure to bring plenty, because she has found that dessert is a HUGE icebreaker, and attracts lots of kids. She has met many new students this way, and of course, her campaigner girls LOVE it! The most unusual pick? Ice pops on a day when the temperature never rose above 40 degrees!

One bit of advice… you don’t want to be late bringing dessert to school. Rose found out the hard way. She was running late last week, and her cell phone never stopped ringing - the whole way to school. All her girls were calling to make sure she was still coming!

Thank you, Rose for sharing such a great idea with us! Anyone else with a great contact work idea? Email Edith (katzgang@aol.com) or Janell (janell@pediastaff.com). We’d love to hear from you!

Meet Danna ... Young Life staff ... recruits and trains new volunteer leaders

Danna, 'the silver fox', second from left

My name is Danna and I am on the Jacksonville Young Life staff. I have been with Young Life forever … seriously! ... Well, it seems like it. (It's in my blood.)

I came to faith at a Young Life property in Colorado after my senior year in high school. (1966…see what I mean?) Though I have served in direct ministry for the last 14 years with Stanton Young Life (and various other Jacksonville high schools prior to that time), my role right now is primarily area leadership development and adult guest program recruitment both of which are things I have a passion for and have fun doing.

While serving at Stanton in the mid 90's, kids dubbed me "The Silver Fox" which I thought was a pretty cool nickname until I found out it is also the name of a strip bar on the Northside … but whatever the reason, people still call me this. I've also been called "the pit bull" b/c of my determination (shall we say "stubbornness"?) when I'm serious about something.

I have been married for close to 37 years to a Renaissance man who is brilliant and principled and looks like Sean Connery (especially now that he has a beard!). Our son Dan is a musical and comedic genius who makes me laugh. I am crazy about both of these men! (… how did I get so lucky?!)

I also love this ministry and these are the reasons why:

• the absolutely incredibly wonderful and diverse people (leaders, staff, kids, committee, parents) that Young Life attracts and that I get to work with (...see attached photos)
• the humor in YL (I need it b/c I take myself way too seriously!)
• it strengthens my faith. I get to watch (and sometimes even be a part of) the amazing and always surprising way God works in peoples' lives (especially kids and leaders). Seeing them "get it" and want to give their faith away to others makes me believe in God all over again!