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GSM Renewal Flashback

So the school year weekend program for GSM is over but "GSM Summer" is almost in full effect.  With about 3 weeks before our first summer event, we're ready to rock and roll with our summer plans. As I was moving around some photos on an external hard drive I came across these photos from our Middle School Renewal Retreat this past fall (2009)...it was crazy fun and definitely a weekend to remember.  For our students who were there, this will be a walk down memory lane! Previously I posted about RENEWAL HERE and posted a little video HERE.

This is what it was all about.  Creating space to 'Renew' our relationship with God!

We walked trails with friends and mentors

We worship God in Private

We jumped up and down as we sang praises to the One who's above every name!  (Nothing like a good blurry worship from FIRED UP passionate worshipers...what would happen if the worship in every church on sunday mornings and saturday nights were HALF as passionate/energetic as this generations worship when they're "ON FIRE" for Christ?  Just asking)

Siblings coexisted...and LOVED IT! little sis carry big sis...gotta love it!

Some of us war-painted our faces for camaraderie

Leaders grew closer together...some A LOT closer (check out the boys, ha)

Yellow Squad grew more muscles...mostly spiritual but with all the running we did, they probably grew some leg muscles.

Boys turned flips...because that's what middle school boys do!

Some definitely had the intimidation factor working.

Some got first in the camp-wide scavenger hunt. (LOTS of running)

Some got second...others...well we won't mention them.  (Not every won sadly enough.....doesn't everyone win at church camp and get a blue ribbon...no. ha)

We made team cheers

Good, loving, well-intentioned leaders were cornered by angry mobs of middle schoolers during games. (Some deserved it. I'm not naming any names but I might have used a photo of him for this example)

Some leaders found their long lost heritage.

Our sweet innocent girl leaders got ANGRY and crushed dodgeballs with their bare hands

Some people held their ENTIRE team together during 4 square dodgeball by single handedly dominated other teams.

Some non-violent girls became violent and whipped dodgeballs at the bodies of others with intention to destroy.

We found out the ready stance and flexing was crucial to success.

And to bring it full circle...here's what the whole RENEWAL weekend retreat centered around...Pouring fire on our flames!  That was the main objective, that's what we were asking God to do (obviously he did more), that's what we got to witness, and THAT'S how great our God is.  There was nothing magical about our prayers, we just asked God and he blew our minds with all that he wanted to do! Our hands were lifted high...our hearts were bowing in reverance...we were surrounded by the glory of HIS presence!!! (Lyrics to the song that described our worship time together)