handsful

So, we’re in Florida right now…and, it’s hot. Though, I hear it’s just as hot back in NC.

We’re here so that Abbey, Marley, Payton, and Ethan can be student leaders in our previous church’s Power Up Clubs. If you’ve been reading our blog for any length of time, you might remember what that is. In a nutshell…

80+ church members have offered to host and donated their front yards.
27 teams made up of 7 people each (age 12 up to college, plus 1 adult leader)
Each team puts on 3 clubs per day – 10am, 5pm, and 6:45pm.
Each club lasts 1 1/2hours and it’s made up of music, drama, games, snacks…think VBS without the church building :)
The kids spend the whole week at church…girls in one building, and guys in another. A whole staff of church members have the daunting task of feeding them 3 meals plus a snack each day. God bless them.

This is Abbey’s 3rd year doing PUC, and the trips 2nd. They have been beside themselves excited to do this again. And, let me tell you…it ain’t easy. It’s work. In very hot weather, sometimes in yards with little to no shade.

But, none of that matters. They get to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Something that puts Christ on display in front yards all over the city. Something that I pray will grow them in their faith, while they show kids what it means to love God without bounds.

This morning at church, the kids busted into the sanctuary (for all 3 services) with all the energy that 180 teens have, and did one of the PUC songs for the congregation. Forgive the blurry pics…

Abbey and Payton in this one.

And, Marley. It took us a while, but we finally found Ethan in the back. Because we saw his hat.

After church, we took the kids to lunch. Zach, one of the boys best buds, joined us. Guess it was pretty sunny, since 2 of them had to shut their eyes for the pic.

Move in time. Having 2 girls and 2 boys doing this, means we end up walking back and forth (and back and…) between the two buildings.

Abbey’s little corner of the world for the week. She’s been in the same room with the same friends for all 3 years.

Marley’s room. She’s the one in the red shirt. Heh.

The littles loved being around all those teenage girls. Two of the girls in Marley’s room took a special interest in them. These are sisters, both adopted from China. Elizabeth and Emeline spent a ton of time with them, letting them play with their phones and taking pictures with them. How sweet.

Abbey and Angelina – friends for years.

Over in teenage boy world, here is Payton and Ethan’s room. Payton has an air mattress, pillow, and blanket. Who needs a sheet, right? Ethan’s bed has a yellow ball on it. ?

I found Ethan in the jr. high room. The theme for this years PUC is Superheros, so each team comes up with their team name and signature (i.e. color bandana, mask, etc.)

Ethan might be taking it a tad too far. Not sure if this is superhero or terrorist?

They had their first clubs tonight. Payton has a part in his team’s drama, as does Abbey. Marley and Ethan give their testimony tonight at their clubs. I’ll be sharing pics of the clubs we take the littles too – you can be sure. Like you doubted.

Tomorrow…pictures of our afternoon at the beach with Lainey and Dylan (his first time!)