...it's all over!

Summer is officially over! We ended quite well, though. Every department finished strong, and we made it through the last weekend without any additional ER trips (making the total number 6 for the summer!!! eek!), despite certain staffers' goals to make it an "even 10."

I have finished my week of semi-vacation (I use that term loosely...) and tomorrow will head into the office to start the official "wrap-up" of the summer. That is, there is filing, note-taking, letter-writing, pictures to weed through, directories to get out, dates to finalize, and correspondence to catch up on. This is the week where the sadness sets in for me. After the chaos of Labor Day Weekend, I typically savor the quietness of the first week post-summer staff...now I will begin to miss the noise! Keswick is waaaayyy too quiet without the staff around... ;0)

Speaking of the staff...I think I can speak for everyone when I say thanks for the prayers! It was a busy summer with some rough spots, but I think we did alright. And a large part of our "success" is due to prayer support we receive from friends and family. So thanks. Thanks a latte!

Bidding a fond farewell to the summer season,

Melia :)

It's September!!!!

Wow... I cannot believe it's September already! Where did the time go? Victory Week 6 ended well--only a few minor injuries. :) And we lost a few more staff, including the rest of the Leadership Team! Eek! However, we welcomed Rob, who stepped in as the male dorm supervisor.

Last week we spent debriefing the summer. That is, we took some time out to reflect on our experiences and the lessons we've learned and how they relate to us going home. It was not necessarily a happy topic of conversation--the end of the summer is always so bittersweet--but it was necessary. We also took some time off--we went to the beach, the mall, and out to dinner. It was definitely a much needed week of rest.

Tonight marks the first night of the last conference of the season. We are back up to 18 staff + volunteers for the weekend. Crazy times...

As I reflect on this summer, I am realizing how good God has been to us. We have had the most ER trips ever (6!)...but nothing very serious. Overall, we've stayed relatively healthy and energized, and our ministry has been effective. Praise the Lord for that! :)

As we finish out the summer, pray that the staff will be able to keep focus and finish strong!

Remaining staff:
Melia / Rob / Lauren (Leadership)
Will (a/v)
Leah / Jenna / Andrew / Betsy / Melissa (Children's Ministry)
Ali / Zach (lifeguards)
Katie / Novella / Tori / Tia / Zeke / Jordan / Chris / Eric / Stephon


Blessings!

Melia

Bare Bones...

Here we are at Victory Week 6. We are down to 22 summer staff (from about 30) after losing Muffin (male dorm sup), Zakira (female dorm sup), Netta (Children's Ministry/D-Team), Jacob (dining room), Tyler (dining room), Becky (Teen Min), and Jalapeno (teen ministry/d-team).
So we're barely scraping by...but we've got enough to cover. God continues to amaze us as He works in us and through us. I am excited to see how He is going to teach the staff as we are all working hard, getting tired, and having to rely solely on Him to be our source of strength.
I know we would all appreciate your continued prayer for energy and strength as we finish out the summer conference weeks...take some down time next week...then gear up for Labor Day weekend. Be in prayer for the Leadership, as we are dwindling down in number...plus having to fill in a lot more holes. Also pray for those who have left us. Many are starting school and the transition between Keswick life and "normal" can be tough.
However, praise Him that we have made it thus far without any catastrophic occurrences, and that He has continually provided for us and blessed us. Also, praise the Lord for the staff that we do have left--they are doing a great job!!

Blessings,

Melia

Waaaaaaaay overdue...

So since our last update, much has occurred:

-On August 8, we held our annual "Iron Chef" competition. The "Snapple Apples" took the prize in "Battle Sandwich," winning by a mere 3 points.
-On the 14th, we had our annual banquet where we fellowshipped with some good food...Arroz con pollo, pico de gallo, etc. It was a spanish theme, can you tell?? Ole!
-Also that evening, we held our Summer Staff talent show...seems as if not too many staffers clued in parents as only a couple showed up.
-We are mourning the loss of Cameron, our snack shop supervisor, and Will (teen ministry) who had to return to school while celebrating the addition of new staff: Katie (dining room), Novella (dining room), Yvonne (children's ministry) and Emily (snack shop supervisor).

We are nearing the end of the summer season. I can't believe that Labor Day is only 3 weeks away! Eeeek! At the end of this week, we lose a lot of staffers to schools starting early. As the group disbands and returns home, pray for their adjustment from Keswick life to home life. Often times, the transition can be difficult. Also pray for those of us left here...we still have departments to run, guests to serve, and learning to do. Pray for energy and perseverance to finish well. God has done some mighty work this summer, and I'm looking forward to continuing to see Him teach us!

Until next time!

Melia

PS--check out my facebook album for new pictures! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2235687&id=55705017&l=288173abcb

Zechariah's Month

We find ourselves at an interesting place.

Despite the fact that the final month has just begun, we are still looking forward to some new additions to the staff! And with a rainy, yet funtaculous, trip to Six Flags behind us, we are taking this week to fully refocus ourselves on the Lord, that we may walk in a manner worthy of His call on our lives. Based on that brief allusion... you guessed it! We are studying Ephesians! Each day this week - Week Zero, as we have dubbed it - we have an extended quiet time devotional focusing on one chapter of Ephesians. The title "Week Zero" has several meanings, such as our zeroing in on God and His Word, our going back to extreme basics (further back than Week One... to Week Zero), and our own becoming "zero" that Christ may increase.

We've made it through four days of study, but the heart of our time still lies ahead. On Friday, we are devoting our afternoon to fully focus on God away from the distractions of work, play, and each other.

Please pray for:

- the adjustment and integration of our new staff members.

- focus and refreshment in God's Word and presence as we focus on Him this week.

Whew! What a week it's been! We are in day 2 of Victory Week 2 here. The staff are slowly, but surely, adjusting to the "conference week" schedule as opposed to the "guest group" schedule. It is much busier for them--all of the departments are definitely in full swing.

From the leadership end...things are going fairly well. I am still recovering from having my wisdom teeth pulled out so much to the delight of the staff, I had chipmunk cheeks and they are now a pretty green tinge from the bruising. Many pictures were snapped. :) Praise the Lord that He has strengthened and energized the Leadership Team daily to be able to lead with excellence.

Healthwise, we had our first "incident" last night when one of the staff had pretty severe pain from sunburn. Long story short, we took a ride to the ER where we recieved pain medication and all is well this morning. I told him "there's always one every year..." so here's to praying that last night was the only "one"! Otherwise, the staff has remained in good health overall.

This Friday we are taking our annual trip to Six Flags Great Adventure! The kids are all excited for some time away to have some fun. Also coming up: Iron Chef 2009 (August 8); Talent Show (tentatively August 14).

I have pictures on my facebook profile--here is the link if you're interested! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2235687&id=55705017&l=288173abcb

Prayer concerns:
-continued strength and energy for the staff
-wisdom for the leadership
-a continued spirit of unity among each department and for the staff as a whole
-that God would use this coming week in the life of every staffer


Love!

Melia

A New Week!

Greetings from the aforementioned LT member. The internet has decided to cooperate tonight!

I must admit that I am not all that surprised with the first few weeks of this summer, but the full weight of the time has impacted me greatly. God is working. Prayer is powerful. We are growing.

I'm being stretched in new ways every day, which I didn't think could be possible for a K-12 Christian-schooler (I went for 13 years!). Now, three years out of that environment (senior year of college approaches for the fall), I am able to spend weeks at a time with guys who are at the same critical stages at which I found myself three, four, five years ago. My biggest stretch is preparing devotionals and sermons (!) every week. I'm an engineering major! Yet my primary responsibility is to provide for the spiritual well-being of 14 young men. Exciting!

I echo the need for prayer for the leadership team and our decision making. We have the opportunity and responsibility to design a summer that catalyzes growth in Christ's love and Godly wisdom. Pray for our guidance in this.

We're well into conference week #1! Godspeed!

In Christ Alone,

Andrew

ps: I'm the one eating the hot dog.