"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, BUT be transformed by the renewing of your mind." - Romans 12:2

Yesterday, here at Cedarmore, we spent the day learning about our family in Christ and the heritage we now have in Him. We talked about the results of being adopted and what all this new family means for each of us.

Even though yesterday morning was a little stormy, praise God that the rain held off in the afternoon and we still got to participate in all our awesome POIs!

Last night during worship we had the opportunity to skype with our friends in India and hear from some of the children who are apart of the ministry we sponsor. It is always incredible to spend the day talking about our family, then having the chance to actually speak with some of our own family halfway across the world that night.

After the skype call, Brent came and gave a sermon on the "greatest 'buts' of the bible." He told the stories of Joseph and Moses and how their stories both included their own "but God..." and how that changed everything for them. Brent brought the Crossings summer staff on stage and had each of them tell a small part of their own "but God..." stories.

Thank God for the amazing conversations that happened during each of the churches checkpoints last night. We also got to enjoy a wonderful time at stage night at the shack last night. 

As we begin day three, we ask that you continue to pray for our students. With this being the last full day for our students, pray that every conversation had today would be intentional and that no opportunity would be missed. Also, tonight we are taking up our missions offering for India so pray for that as well. 

"He loves you for no good reason at all."

This was the point on which Brent based his message last night. After an amazing time of worship together, Brent spoke to us out of the story found in Luke 15 which he referred to as the story of the prodigal father. He explained how it is the father in the story which was the prodigal one and not the son. It was the father who was lavish because he gave his love freely and for no good reason at all. This was the main point Brent wanted everyone to understand yesterday about our heavenly Father. This same lavish love is exactly how God loves His own children. Many here at camp actually came to know and understand that love for the first time last night, praise God!  

It was a wonderful end to our day's discussion of Father. Today we are going to be spending the day talking about how, as children of God, we now belong to the family of God.

Continue to pray for us as we go through day 2 here at Cedarmore. Pray that our students would truly understand this crazy love that we have been talking about and that those who do not know His love personally, would come to know it and fully understand it. 

We have begun another great week here at Crossings at Cedarmore. Churches arrived at camp yesterday afternoon and brought over 400 students with them. The energy is super high this week and the students are ready to learn.

Everyone met their bible study groups and leaders last night and they all got to spend time playing games together and getting to know each other. After bible study, everyone gathered back together for a time of worship. We heard form our camp pastor, Brent Gambrell. He recounted part of his story from the earthquake in Haiti this year and how God transformed his idea of adoption from that experience.

We ended the day by hanging out down at the shack, what a fun end to a fun day! I know this is going to be an amazing week here at Cedarmore. Pray for us all as we begin day one of camp. Pray that the students will, as Brent says, have a change of mind this week. Pray that those who do not know Christ will clearly hear and understand the truth of the gospel this week.