Okay, so when I first read Chris's blog title "Jon Mclaughlin" I flipped out. I absolutely adore his music. As you can read in the comment I left Chris, my favorite song is Industry. The combination of his voice, the harmonies, the piano...ahhh its fantastic. Again, like I said, I listen to it 3 times a day minimum. Actually, I'm listening to it as I am writing this. haha you could say I'm a little bit obsessed. I advise you all to get a little taste of this guy, you dont know what you are missing out on until you hear him sing.


I also came here today to write aboutt the SL retreat thats coming up. I am extremely excited for this trip. Last year I was unable to make it and I am so pumped to be able to attend this year. I am also really excited that we are bringing in a few more student leaders, along with the new school year. Although it will be awfully sad to loose our seniors { :( }, we are excited to take in some new students. SL has been a really great experience and has really helped me grow in my faith through helping out in the ministry, and I am really glad to be able to share that and have them experience the same thing this year. Turn in those applications!

have a fantastic week!

much love, katie

Elevation '07

What to say about Elevation '07? It was probably that best yet for me. Just thinking about it gives me stomach butterflies and I get excited. Its the day after and Im going through withdrawal. Its hard to go from seeing everyone 24-7 to once a week again. Its really sad! One word to describe this trip is probably extrodinary. I dont know what else to say. Amazing is way to overused so this is probably the next eligible word to use to describe it. It was life changing, fun, amazing, extrodinary, sad, and exciting all at the same time. I promised you a ten page blog and that is what you are getting.

My family btw is called Oceans 10 based off the movie and how many people we had. It consisted of Spencer and Sara, Elliot, Anne, Elizabeth, Angie, Slonie, D Frost, Corey, and myself. So the week started off with us all meeting at the church 10:00 pm Monday night. Their were nervous and sad goodbyes, but everyone seemed happy to get away for a week especially since it was Elevation. To my surprise there were several new people coming this year. Lydnsey, Alex, and Andrew were the new people and they each had only cme to VI a few times before deciding to join us on our trip. It was really brave of them. I can only imagine how nervous they were, knowing almost no one. Finally, after recieving t-shirts and having family meetings we got on the bus and started our journey. It was like any other bus ride. Everyone being loud, ipods on, movies playing, food being eaten, always such a great time. Eventually everyone drifted off for a little bit. The next morning we stopped at McDonald's to eat for a little bit. The restaraunt was only about 10 minutes from where we were staying so we werent really worried about how long it took to eat. About a half an hour later we got to our destination. Everyone climbed out, we had an orientation, and then quickly we found our rooms. They were really nice and a lot closer to the commissary than last year. It was really awesome there was a pool, sand volleyball, basketball courts, and a bunch of walking trails you could walk on. Tuesday we only really did quiz bowl and then had worship. Worship the first night is always great to break in the week, becuase although its the first day you can always feel God's prescense right away which is really nice.

Then Wednesday we got up early and departed for Lake Lanier. This is always one of my favorite days. On my boat this year it was Annie, Slonie, Maddie, Joe, and Dustin as the driver. It was sweet, we were tubing right as we got out of the " no wake" zone. We had a lot of laughs, Dustin almost killed Slon by running her over with the boat, and threw a huge ball of sand in my eye. We basically KILLED Acheson and Annie is chicken. It was eventful and fun. Then we went back to the retreat center, had dinner, and once again had amazing worship. I especially this year enjoyed the lessons. They were based on different genres of movies and different aspects of our lifes. I could really relate to each one and they really got the point across.

Then Thursday we got up had breakfast and went to our work sites for the day. My worksite was called NOA or the No One Alone program. It is a battered or abused womans shelter. This was really a time when my family or cast bonded together. We all had to learn to work together, to find our each others strengths and weaknesses and make them work together. It was work but we had a lot of fun. We started off cleaning up a playground, then mulching all around, and cleaning off all the equiptment. We blared one of Spencers CD's, and he would quiz on on the artist or song. It was all old people songs so we didnt really know any of them but it was fun anyway. When we were finished with that. Slonie and I organzied one of their outdoor sheds. She broke a bike and I laughed. It was really funny. Then we cleaned out bushes and mulched out front. It was messy and hot but we really ended up having a good time. Around noon we went inside and ate lunch. We played a fun get to know each other game, which I was incredibly bad at. haha anyways then we had like a little seminar with the manager of the program. She had a slide show and we learned all about what they did. We heard stories and they were extremely sad but it is a great thing that they do, and they help a ton of people each year. It was a truly rewarding experience, and showed me how lucky I am to feel safe in my home and in my community. We went home, showered, had dinner and amazing worship again.

Then Friday we got up, and it was your choice day, and I chose white water rafting. This was my first time and I was lets say...really, really nervous. In my boat was Annie, Stephanie, and Stacy. Our instructors named was Patrick. He was very nice and really made me feel comfortable and well informed. We went over lots of strong, exciting rapids. We saw a beautiful water fall, jumped off 12 foot cliffs, and even went body surfing. Then in the end, Mike, another instructor, captures Annie, I jump off trying to be heroic and save her, but get kidnapped too. She eventually climbs out and swims to her boat. I decide to stay in that boat becuase I didnt have to paddle and just got to sit back and enjoy the ride. It was an incredible day, and I cant wait to do it again next year. That night we got back late, ate dinner, showered, and hung around before worship. Worship again was amazing and then another thing I forgot to mention was the Prayer Circle. The prayer circle is a thing where after worship you can outside on the porch and sit around lit candles and just sit with your friends and pray or think. It's such a great time to reflect or talk to God. Its simply life changing.

Then Saturday was the basketball tournament. For our familys basketball team was me, Elliot, and Elizabeth. WE WONN THE WHOLE THINNGGG, btw. Sorry Dave. We basically ted. It was bunch of fun and then afterwards we went swimming in the pool. That night we again had dinner and amazing worship.

Then Sunday, the final day, we had obstacle course. There are really crazy things you are timed on and its another one of those things where you bond and work together with your family, it was great. We came in fourth which wasnt so bad but we could have done better. We had fun though. Then that night we had the final dinner. Its always great to see the leaders dressed up as waiters and waitresses. Our waiter was Spencerr, basically the best ever! We had the best table and we all had a great time making toastes and talking about our favorite memoires of Elevation. We had music playing, we all did the electric slide. It was so awesome seeing everyone trying to dance together. Then after dinner, David, James and I went on a long walk. When we finally reached the end of the road, I asked James what time it was he goes 8:31, and I then ask what time is worship 8:30. CRAPPP. We are like three miles up this road and are already late for worship. I personally thought it was hilarous, and they didnt. I couldnt stop laughing the whole way back. We ended up being on time anyway but it was < > this much funny. :D Worship again was amazing and extremely special becuase it was the last night. We honored all the leaders and seniors, which was sad but a really nice ceremony. Then afterwards again we walked the trail again. And as we approached the end of the road we heard tires squeal really loudly and I mean there is nothing back there so we got freaked out and assumed it was a Ghost Car. Obviously, we got back safely but we were really scared. It was a really fun night, I stayed up till like 3:30 chatting, and was exhausted for the bus ride but it was really funn!

Over all the week was totally unforgettable and life changing. I bonded with everyone there. I grew stronger with my old friends made tons of new ones! I have come out of this trip only rewarded and am so glad that it turned out better than expected. I think everyone there enjoyed themselves and would go back to that week in the summer in a second. I know I would!

I would now like to have a little tribute to one of my new, but best friends in the world Alex. He came to VI only a few times before he signed up for Elevation and really only knew Dan Angus when he came. We were friends right away and I dont know what I would do without this guy. He is totally awesome and fit right in when he came to VI. Hes totally hilarious too. We bonded a lot. One night we went on a walk and had a Notebook moment. He made that perverted but it was still fun anyway. He is also our cat's, Casper's, grandmother. We love you, buddy! :D (is that good enough?)

Elevation was so many emotions mixed into one that is just indescribable and I am currently trying to overcome Elevation withdrawal. Its so hard to go from seeing everyone 24 - 7 to once a week. I miss you all and cannot wait till next yearr!!!

much love, was that ten pages? <3 steph