Matt 'n' Kris

Some more thoughts

2010-02-26T14:08:00.000-08:00

In the youth group, we just got back from Winter Camp. Camp is always a great time. It's very rewarding, powerful, fun, and it makes you really tired. This year I had the job of "running" the camp. This was a first for me. I've planned and ran conventions and other events but I have never ran something like a camp. I had to find a place, a band, a speaker, etc. It wasn't too stressful and I had a lot of help.

We(meaning youth pastors) deal with the idea of a "mountain top high" and how to transform that "mountain top high" to everyday high. I'm starting to think that it's really not that big of a deal. I consider myself a pretty "good" Christian. I seek the Lord and listen to Him often. I read His Word and spend time in prayer. When I go to camp, I experience the "mountain top high". Is that wrong? Does that mean I am "less" a christian at home? After camp, I always feel closer to God and I feel that I'm on fire for Him. I will, however, eventually come off my high and I will, while still changed, go back to my everyday life and lose that "high" I got at camp.

I figured that there isn't much I can do with the "mountain top high" experience except encourage it, expect it, and celebrate it. Why does it have to be a negative thing?

Blogging

2009-09-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

Blogging is a funny thing. For some reason, people who have blogs, think they are so important that someone actually cares what they have to say.

My fellow blogger Andy Shoemaker gave me a book to read called "Surprised by Hope" by NT Wright. I am not much of a reader, but I will definitely give it a chance. I think it is very important to constantly be learning new things so we can continue to grow as individuals. I encourage all people who read this blog(I'm guessing all 3 of you?) to never stop learning and to never stop seeking new things.

Thinking back to what Pastor Chris preached about last Sunday, I've been really contemplating on what he said to the Seniors of our church. He told them that they were not done growing, learning, serving, seeking, engaging, teaching. He told them that we needed them in this church. I've been wondering why that needed to be said. Isn't that understood? But then, I think what he said is true. We get to a point in our Church life, where we feel that we've already done our part. We say to ourselves, "I've already done that, it's someone else's turn." What if everyone said that? Would anything ever get done? Would there ever be change? I don't ever want to be a seat filler or go to church cause that's what you're supposed to do on Sunday. I want to be a part of the church and I want to be alive.

Sorry if this is a little forward-That's what happens when you have a blog. You get to write whatever you want.

New York Vacation Cont...

2009-08-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

Well we have had another 2 very busy and fun days. Yesterday August 7th we woke up late, and then went uptown to Serendipity. We ate lunch and of course had their famous Frozen Hot Chocolate. It was delicious and fun. I felt like I was in the movie. (This is Kristina blogging). Then we walked to Central Park. It was beautiful. We rode through the park in a horse carriage. Can vacation get any better? Then we walked around the park and took pictures especially on the bridge that has been in several movies like You've Got Mail. Then we walked / shopped up 5th Ave seeing things like the Trump Towers and St. Catherine's Cathedral. In the evening we went to dinner as it was Matt's 30th Birthday this day and went to John's Pizzeria in Times Square which all the New Yorkers say is the best pizza in New York, and we weren't disappointed. After that we walked to Rockefeller Center. It was beautiful. Then back to the hotel. Today, August 10th we woke up early and started our day by visiting Doughnut Plant as seen on Food Network. It was amazing. Then we walked for ever through the city. After that we went to Empire State Building. It was a beautiful day and we could see for miles. We then went to lunch at Blue Smoke for a wonderful bbq lunch. Next, we went shopping in SoHo and while there got a coffee drink at Dean and Deluca which puts Starbucks to shame. After a short rest at the hotel we went to a yummy Mexican restaraunt downtown called Rosa Mexicano and then walked around Union Square. we then walked 24 blocks back to our hotel to take a break from the subway and see some more of the city. It's been a long day, really tired, looking forward to tomorrow and my 6th wedding Anniversary to Matt. Stay tuned...

New York Vacation

2009-08-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

Where to start...we have done so much already in our short time here. We started our trip leaving LAX on a red eye flight Monday/Tuesday. Flew into Newark, New Jersey. Then in an interesting van ride to our hotel. Checked in and grabbed some pizza at Gissepi's across from our hotel. Then a nap since we hadn't slept in over 24 hours. Woke up and off to Queens to see a Mets game at the new Citi field. The stadium was beautiful. It was a fun night and our first experience on the New York Subway. (I could go on forever about that experience). Wednesday we woke up and went to breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner. It was so cool. The servers sing Broadway songs throughout the meal. Then we headed over to the Bronx and visited some stores on the street and then went to the Yankee Tour at the new Yankee Stadium. Another great experience. No one was allowed on the field but the security guys thought Owen was so adorable that only he got to go out there. He swung his little bat and ball and it was priceless. Then it was off to Little Italy for lunch and gelato. The food was amazing. Next we went to Times Square for most of the night and had dinner at the Greatland Brewery. Once again, good food. Then off to watch the Angel game on tv and back to the hotel for the night. Thursday morning we were up bright and early, grabbed a bagel, then got on the wrong Subway to the Statue of Liberty. Got off and found the right subway and headed Downtown to Battery Park to catch the ferry to Statue of Liberty. It was amazing, nothing like experiencing it first hand. We spent time there and took lots of pictures. Then we took the Ferry to Ellis Island which was interesting (not as fun though LOL). Took the ferry back to Battery Park, grabbed some hot dogs from a cart and sat in front of a skyscraper and ate. Then back on the subway and back to our hotel for a nap. Stay tuned for more on our trip.....having a great family vacation!

Camp Blog Day 3

2009-07-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

Camp is going really well. Monty showed up so Greg and Jake are happy. Josiah is loving camp even though he is the only Jr. Higher from our church. Last night, he was part of the late night game and he won a $15 cash prize. The girls are all having a blast and are involved in all aspects of camp. Arlene the Nazarene and Kristina are having a great time with them.

The games have been fun and our church is participating well. Today, a lot of us will be going canoeing and some of us are playing paintball. I can't wait to shoot some of our kids. Yesterday, I got to shoot a BB gun for the first time and I am actually pretty good at it.

Chapel has been amazing and the students are getting a lot out of it. I look forward to tonight and tomorrow. Pray for breakthroughs and life-changing decisions.

Here's some Pictures for you to enjoy!

Camp Blog Day 2

2009-07-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Camp is off and running. Last night multiple Jr. High Students accepted the Lord and it was awesome. The High School Chapel speaker spoke on lukewarm christianity. A lot of students responded to his challenge to live a "Go Big" Christian Life.

The Late night game consisted of silly string, cream pies, and CLOWNS. The kids had a blast. Sleep is minimal, fun is abundant, and God is moving. Camp is awesome!!!!

Summer Camp Blog #1

2009-07-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Pine Summit Christian Camp. We are all here and everything is going well so far. The students are having fun already. Josiah and Jake have already played in the mud pit.

Please pray tonight for transformed lives and won souls!

I will do my best to keep this updated throughout the week.

Camp 2009! Go Big or Go Home!!!!!!!

2009-07-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Kristina and I leave for camp this Sunday and the students will arrive on Monday. I always enjoy camp. The entire experience is extremely emotional and draining on a lot of levels. Days are spent learning, eating, and playing and nights are filled with great worship services, prayer, and lack of sleep.

To a lot of teens, camp is the highlight of their year. It is the chance they need to get away from all the junk of their lives and to spend an entire week with people who are like them. Being a teenager can be hard enough, and it is made even harder due to the fact that many teens come from terrible backgrounds and families.

The theme for camp this year is Go Big or Go Home. We as a camp staff are hoping to encourage the teens to live of Big Faith, Big Hopes, Big Dreams, Big Compassion, Big Service, and so many other Big things. We want them to understand what it means to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ.

Pray for us this week as we experience all that camp has to offer. I can't wait to see what God is gonna do with us!!!!!!