Mike Atmar is a born leader! And because of these blessed abilities, God is leading Mike down some trails that he can set ablaze. Mike leads a weekly Bible study at his high school and another for 7^th grade boys. Mike comments, “The Bible studies have been so encouraging for me cause I never knew there were so many Christians at my school!”

When asked how he keeps his relationship with the Lord strong, Mike comments, “The most important thing is reading the Bible consistently and spending time in prayer. Doing the Victor’s Crown has been so good for helping me stay consistent in my quiet times. Now, reading the Bible is a habit and is something I want to do every day.” He is also consistent with talking with the Lord throughout the day and meets with a youth leader to study the Bible. He states, “He is an amazing role model for me—like a Kamp counselor that I get to hang with all year long!

Speaking of Kamp…what are some of Mike’s favorite memories of it? He comments, “Just sitting down at K-Life after a long, tiring day and singing worship songs to God…those are some of my favorite times all year! Also, I will never forget the nervous/extremely excited feeling I got when I heard my name called at closing ceremonies because I was elected chief of my tribe! That is what I’m looking forward to this summer. I just can’t wait! I am more excited about Kamp this year than I have ever been before.

Well, Mike, we’re looking forward to having you back! Everyone, KAMP is

COMING!!!!!

Erica Rentschler, Nika Spaulding, Angela Jennings and I are so excited that we can’t take it anymore!!!!

Jared Kolter and Shay Robbins begin the crazy wrestling in total Fuagnem style.  They are ready!

Billy Heydel, David Marvin, Kevin Harrison, and Hunter “Regis” Lee are showing their uncontrollable happiness for K2 Summer 08 to get here FAST!

See each of you at K2 so soon!  The K2 Leadership Team is going crazy without you.  Hurry!

Ashley 

Eleven days and counting! What is this you might ask?  The exact number of days before our incredible kid-loving, sport playing, and fun-loving 2008 staff start arriving to K2! Why is that so important you might ask? Because we start Kamp just days after that and that means YOU ARE COMING BACK SOON! Summer is almost here, and believe me, we couldn’t be any more stinkin’ excited than we already are!

For the past nine months, your K2 gang has been meeting and planning the most explosive, action packed summer EVER and you won’t want to miss it!

Our creative leadership team has worked hard to come up with unique and inspiring new K-life’s; exhilarating parties; and completely outside the box Sundays! No matter when you are scheduled to come rollin’ into kamp, be prepared to grab your surf board and catch the wave with us this summer…..Our team is here to serve you and encourage you and laugh with you. Even Alyshia Foster, our dining hall discipleship leader, is gearing up to serve you with a heart of gold this summer (see pic)!

If you haven’t enrolled yet, what are you waiting for? I promise this will by far be the krunkest summer yet!

Counting down the days until we hang with you on the K2 hill!

Hugs,

Trish

Oprah Winfrey is a woman who helps thousands of people a year and who appears to be a great leader of this time period. She is a popular TV host, has her own Oprah Gives TV show, and is highly involved in the political realm, openly and monetarily supporting her candidate. While all of these things might be great and do good things for others, it is imperative that this generation of young (and old believers like myself) take a deeper look at what it is she is promoting and asking ourselves if this matches with the beliefs we cling to in scripture.

Take a look at these videos: 

Interesting, huh? Now, let’s look at a few scripture to see what God says about Jesus being THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN (and Him).

Acts 16:30, 31 the apostle Paul was asked by the Philippians jail keeper, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul’s immediate response was, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”

Jesus himself spoke the same truth in John 14:6 when Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Not many ways, but THE way)

The apostle Peter also declared Jesus was the only way in the following verses:

Acts 4:10, 12 (The apostle Peter said) then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed…. (12) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by whom we must be saved.”

We see other verses in the New Testament that also support Christ as the only way to heaven and God.

Ephesians 2:17-18 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. (18)For through him (JESUS) we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

1John 4:14 and we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

1 John 5:11-12 and this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Today, I encourage you to really seek God’s word on what you are being taught. Do not just assume because someone you respect or like says something that it is truth. Dig into God’s word and find the answers yourself!

We are counting down the days until summer…..Plug into God’s Word and let us know what YOU are learning back home!

We love you

Sixteen-year-old Morgan Pyfrom of Slidell, LA is the epitome of tenacity (“teen-in-a-city”, as she puts it) at work! She has a firm grip on what it means to live the “I’m Third” lifestyle. This 2007 National All-American Miss Junior Teen Queen not only bears the responsibility of being a role model for thousands of teenage girls across the United States, she also volunteers her amazing talents to a non-profit organization she started called Joining Generations through Making Memories. This organization donates homemade scrapbooks to nursing homes to assist patients with their memory retention and to preserve their personal histories for their families. WOW! Morgan states, “By giving your time and talents to others, you gain and learn so much about God and His gifts to you!” Being an eight-time Kanakuk Kamper, her motto is, “It’s Kan-a-kuk, not Kant-a-kuk; we KAN make a difference!”

Morgan is an incredible leader in every area of her life: school, church, and community. Her accomplishments are so numerous it is truly mind-boggling! As a junior at Northshore High School, Morgan serves on the Principal’s Council, the Student Council, and is a Class ’09 Representative. She is also Vice President of the Latin Club, a Key Club member, and serves as an avid volunteer in afterschool activities and spirit contests! Whoa! In her community, she serves as an administrative assistant for the Slidell City Council and is a veterinarian assistant at the Pontchartrain Animal Hospital.

In her church, she sings with her church youth group, Church of the King Velocity Praise Band. She says taking part in this band contributes to her association with strong, amazing Christian role models and dedicated teens. “Praying and praising the Lord with them is a strong builder of faith and fellowship.” She adds that singing and worshipping with her family helps her to “reunite and reenergize in the Lord, and helps bring me back to what is important in my daily walk.”

What advice does this very accomplished young woman have for other teens? She states, “As Christians, we need to stand up and use the wonderful and unique gifts and talents Christ has given each one of us. We all have talents and time that can be helpful to others. Give what you love doing!”

“Mom, don’t forget, this is a stress free weekend,” Shayla gently said. Wow, what a great reminder for me. Sometimes I find myself stressed over the smallest things in life. Granted, at the time, they seem really big and important, but if I can get myself to take a step back, examine the situation with my God Goggles on, it’s much easier to put things in the proper perspective.

Today I encourage you to do just that with your life. Take a step back, put your God Goggles on and really look at what is important in your world and what you need more patience with.

There are so many great verses on patience, but two of my favorites are:

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord: he turned to me and heard my cry.

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Be encouraged to press on and walk with a lighter step today! We love you and we are counting down the days to summer ’08!

Hugs,

I recently returned from a trip that took me through Louisville, KY. While there, I had the opportunity to meet up with some awesome K2 Kampers. One of them, Tannis Bachman, filled me in on how things were going at her school.

This sweet girl has taken charge by teaming up with some of her friends and creating a Fellowship of Christian Athletes group. These dedicated teens have decided to focus on younger students in their middle school because they’re worried that these students are heading down a dangerous road. “Our mission in having FCA is to be a light for younger kids in a generation that’s being lead toward darkness, and sports is a great place to start. We try to teach the kids how to be a Christian competitor both on and off the court and field.”

However, the road of discipleship is not always an easy one. Tannis commented, “We’ve had more problems than success, but that’s only natural for a new program. As the one of the leaders, it’s definitely been challenging.”

Tannis credits her relationship with Christ and her time at Kamp as contributing sources for her desire to be a leader. “I remember the way that Kamp counselors chose to be different and lead for Christ and that inspires me to do the same. Being a junior, I know that many younger girls look up to the upper classmen and Kamp has taught me how to live a godly life so they can follow Christ’s example.”

I’m so proud of Tannis and all of you who have the courage to lead others instead of being a follower.

“Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14