Surge

An Amazing Week @ VBS!

Hey Guys!

1st of all I want to thank all of you who generously volunteered 2 help out @ VBS, you did a great job and the kids absolutely loved you! The week was a great success and it was a pleasure for me to serve alongside each of you! I want to take the opportunity to encourage you with a couple of incredible experiences God blessed me with during the week. 

The first was on Monday morning when I was getting ready for VBS...I suddenly felt this really deep/heavy presence descend on me (which was the presence of God).  My first instinct was to raise my hand but immediately after that it dropped me to my knees.  It was almost like I was in a trance and I began praying and praising God.  It was nothing specific but just praising him for who he is and how awesome and mighty he is.  I wasn't even thinking but the words were just flowing out of my mouth.  I felt so close to God, just like he was sitting beside me holding my hand...it was amazing!  I would rate this in the top 5 most powerful and impactful prayer times I have ever had!  I have only experienced this type of prayer on rare occasions but every time it has left me breathless and crying tears of joy :) I want to encourage us all to be diligent about praying regularly and hopefully we all will be blessed with such intimate experiences with God!

The second thing that happened was on Thursday when I had the honor of leading one of the kids in my group to Christ!  His name is Sam and he was very excited to ask Jesus to guide and impact his life!  This was one of the most joyful experiences I have had in recent months and it really encouraged me to keep pursuing the lost!  I will be praying for Sam and I would ask that you also add him to your prayer list :)  I beg you to continually seek the lost because we never know when the Spirit will utilize us to call someone to himself!  Even in the most unusual times with the most unexpected people, God will show up and work in incredible ways!

Once again, thank you for sacrificing your time and getting up so early in the morning to help out!  I know it was greatly appreciated and we couldn't have done VBS without you!

- Michael Crosswhite

Dare to Be a Daniel 2

Okay guys, we are changing things up this month because of a special opportunity!  Mr. Jones (Keira's Dad) has invited a bunch of us to come over to his house this Friday afternoon for a Halo party!  We are planning on having it from 2-7pm.   More details will come soon but for now I need to know:

1. if you want to come
2. if you can bring an xbox 360 and if so, how many controllers
3. We have limited spots so I need to know by Thursday!

This event will take the place of our Saturday event.  Almost everybody could not make a canoeing trip this Saturday so we have decided to postpone till August. 

This Friday is a drop off or hang out event for Dads.  If you would like to join us for a couple rounds of Halo please do! 

We will provide pizza and soda.

Thanks guys!

BJ

New Pics!

Oaks Park
Dare to Be a Daniel
Ultra Zone

So I think I fixed these pages so that the photos load easier!  Please let me know if you are able to see these new pics if you were having trouble before.

Thanks!

BJ

Oaks Park: What a Trip!

Hey guys, hope all of you had a great time at Oaks Park! I know I did. David and Cody ran me ragged but what a blast! I don't know where you guys get all that energy from. I didn't go on any of the rides, they all looked too scary for me, especially that Screaming Eagle one! Watching a few of you guys on it and seeing how you walked afterward was enough for me. Well, I hope you are all having a great week and I will see you on Sunday, looking forward to it.

Josh

House Party this Tuesday, August 5th!

Well, I know you can't vote for who's going to be president but you can vote for what movie we're going to watch at the Jones' House Party, August 5th! 

*UPDATE: Okay, Okay, Okay.... I've added Cars and have eliminated the movies that have received nada votes.  Please continue to vote all you peoples!

**UPDATE, August 1st:  A very close race people... I will be tallying votes up till next Monday and getting input from our staff.  Think of your vote as the "popular vote" and the staff votes as the "electoral college".  Oh yes, if you don't know what I'm talking about ask your parents.  And if they don't know, ask Wikipdedia. 

Click on the image below to get  the directions to the House party on Tuesday (From the Boberg Youth Room to the Jones').

Where:  Jones' home (Tom and Maureen 503-804-5545)
6:45-9pm



    Jones' address:
    33963 sw ladd hill rd
    wilsonville

    Keep your eyes peeled for a sign that says, "ladd hill road 500 feet."  It's an easy turn to miss.
    Once you're on Ladd road  you'll see a white church on your right.  The house is across the street from it.  You     can park at the white church or on the Jones' property.

 

 

Here are the final 3 movie choices:

1.  Cars

2.  Over the Hedge

3.  Firehouse Dog

Okay, those are your choices.  You can vote in the comments section below.  We're going to tally your votes and combine them with input from staff to decide what we're going to watch!  So let us know what you like to see with your vote!

BJ

Oaks Park through BJ's eyes

That was a pretty fun day.  If it weren't for a couple of us getting sick it would have been perfect (I hope you two are feeling better!). 

It's really fun for me to see you guys having a good time.  I know it could have been longer but I also knew that the combination of heat and copious amounts of cotton candy were going to be trouble! 

Anyways, I also want to point out a kid who I thought really stood out to me.  Braden and I were in a group and I noticed the way you went out of your way to include everybody.  It wasn't always what you wanted to do.   You were really mindful of everybody's feelings. You also made me laugh a bunch - but that's nothing new!  I just want you to know that you were a big highlight for me on Tuesday and I'm glad that we could hang out. 

Pics from Cheryl's camera should be up this evening so stay tuned!

BJ

Oaks Park...Through Mike's Eyes

I for one had a blast at Oaks Park!  There were a ton of cool rides, but my favorite one would still have 2 be the big pink slide...lol! Riding the coaster was fun, also the train was a really great opportunity to chill out (mentally...definitely not physically!) and talk w/some of the guys.  One thing I noticed right when we got there was that the group of guys I was with were instantly drawn to the shooting gallery...and all immediately picked up guns and started picking off targets! From a skunk to a clock, we had a blast shooting at the different things and getting them to respond and react.  I really want to take a moment to commend one of our guys who showed a lot of selflessness and generosity during the time we were there. The guns operate off of quarters...and a lot of the guys didn't have any :(  One guy who did have a surplus of quarters was Jordan and he kept everyone else in constant supply.  I know it would have been easy to say "get your own quarters" or "these quarters are mine" but instead Jordan choose to share and we all had a blast largely due to his generosity.  Thank you Jordan for being such a great example to the rest of us and enabling us to have such a fun and bonding experience!  To the rest of us (me included), always remember to be generous in all things and share everything that God daily gives and abundantly blesses us with!  If you have a second take a look @ Psalms 112  ;)

- Michael Crosswhite

Oaks Park

Oaks Park is coming up next week, July 15th!  Here's some important stuff for you to know:

We're meeting at Boberg at 1:30.  We'll be back at Boberg at 6:00.  No Surge that night!

The cost is $7.25.  This will cover all midway rides.  Go-Karts and Midway games sold separately.  So you can bring extra money for the karts, games and food. 

Bring a friend and have a great day with your friends and the staff at Surge!  Sign ups are needed so please sign up in the comments below or email BJ.  Remember everybody needs a Medical Release form on file.  You can download one here.

See you this Sunday at Surge Challenge!

BJ

 

Pool Extravaganza!

Hey Surge!

That was a fun night!  Thanks to all who came and make sure you check out the pics!  Make sure to sign up for Oaks Park if you didn't get a chance to last night.  You can sign up in the comments section above or you can email BJ.

I thought Mike did a great job reminding us that God has given us guidance in how we are to be lights in a dark world.  We can't hide in a Christian bubble if we believe we're supposed to bring the Gospel to others.  So we are going to face temptation.  But God reminds us in Philippians that we can do so with our hearts and minds set on "... what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable".  And what a blessing and encouragement it is to know that we can "... Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus".

House party

Hey Surge!

I'm looking forward  to the house party tomorrow!  It is from 7:00 - 9:00pm.

Come and splash around the pool with all your friends. We will have snacks for you but no dinner.  Also, remember we're asking you to wear a one-piece bathing suit.  Some of you are asking for clarification on this.  I asked Cheryl, since she's more of an expert than I am.  She said that by one piece we're asking  gals to not expose your midriff.  So that means you have to throw a tank top over your tank-inis and other modest two-pieces. 

We have decided to err towards above-average modesty. So we hope you understand and decide to come with a great attitude. 

Now, I don't know if it's possible for guys to wear two-pieces.  If it is, please don't make me send you home. : )

We're going to have a lot of fun!

Click on the image below to get  the directions to the House party tomorrow (From the Boberg Youth Room to the Gillihans).

See you tomorrow!

BJ