Summer Memories

When I think about summer, so many memories flood my mind. I remember the smell of the freshly cut grass. I remember catching lightning bugs in a jar and saving them for as long as I possibly could. I remember all of the late nights playing cards with my Ma. She always won. I remember FINALLY gaining the courage to jump off of the diving board. I remember the countless encouraging notes written and funny songs sung at church camp. I remember the late night praise sessions at UPLIFT. I remember choosing to follow Christ and be baptized.

All of these memories flood my mind when I think about the summers from my youth. You probably have similar ones, or maybe you have very different ones. The summer is such a fun time for so many. So many events and activities take place, and so many memories are made. Not only are the memories special to me, but who I made those memories with are even more special and important. The camp counselors who taught me and mentored me, the late nights with my grandmother, the long talks with my dad before deciding to be baptized, the moments of praise songs with hundreds of other students, those people had a huge impact on my memories and what they mean to me now. 

The people that we surround ourselves with play a role in those memories. Our youth and children will make memories this summer, and how exciting is it that we can play a huge role in those. What lasting impact will you have on those around you this summer? May I suggest some ways that you can make a lasting impact on the youth of this church this summer? In the coming weeks, our youth group and children’s ministry will be going in a million different directions, but there are ways that you can help. If you aren't able to physically help and be there for those memories, there are ways that you can make it easier for us this summer. In the upcoming weeks we would love for you to be praying for the youth of our congregation. Here are a few additional ways that you can help: 

• Save your condiments from your fast food restaurants - they can be used at camp. 

• Check the sign up sheets and consider walking around with the kids at VBS as a Tribe leader 

• Check the “items needed” list located on the kids board for VBS snack items needed 

• Provide scholarships for those who may need help attending camp (Help them make those memories!) 

• Attend VBS 

• Provide cookies and brownies for our girls and guys nights in June 

More than anything, we would love for you to be prayerful about our youth and children this summer. So many memories will be made this summer, and we pray that they are life changing.