Jr high youth rally

So at the last Jr High Youth Rally in Columbus I tired letting the youth do some blogging about the day. This is what happened.......

Maddison, Kasey, Kyle, Anna
We sat in Mr. T's squished car no offense to him but is car smelled funny. We could not stop talking about random stuff and couldn't stop talking about the stupid things we did in grade school. Then we got to St. Bartholomew and “stole” candy from the tables downstairs. The purple shirts are a bit smelly but we gotta get over it. The candy is very good. They try very hard to protect us (as seen in the contract they make us sign /without a lawyer/). We can’t play hookie from the workshops. Also I learned that they can't give out medications or put bandages on us. Also there’s freaky umpa loompas singing gospel songs and there scaring the crud out of Maddison, and Kasey. And they were throwing evil volley balls at us. Jason is hitting us in the head and the umpa loompas have green (lime) hair!! We also have green (possibly barf) bags in our folders. These are the complaints we have from only 20 minutes in. The program technically hasn't even started. They gave us free gum so I guess we can forgive them for throwing beach balls at us. I think I'm gonna develop a phobia of volley ball. I hope my gum isn't poisoned because I love gum and that would ruin it.

Connie and Caroline
Today has already been very hectic and it is only 10:20. Right now we are getting aired up balls thrown at us. It is fun to (not on purpose) hit people in the face with them. I’m just happy we haven't knocked down this laptop quite yet I hope I can take home one of these peace sign balls! The freakiest part so far would definitely have to be the umpa lumpas. I really want to take home one of the costumes
so I can wear it on Halloween. I can’t wait to go to my stations. Caroline and I are going to
s'more prayers and big league chew. I am looking forward to the bouncy house and nerf guns. Also there is a chocolate fountain! That is it for now adios

Tom
Just to review what has happened to this point in the day. We checked in and then after that we waited for the day to start there were lots of beach balls and praise and worship music. After that was done we had our keynote speaker and now we are eating lunch. It is almost time for our individual secessions these are chance for the youth to pick what topics they are interested in. These secessions are Everlasting GOD stoppers – what gets in the way of your faith, sweet tarts – dating and relationships, Now and laters -faith going into high school, s'more prayers – creative prayers, big league chew – finding god in sports, pop rocks – faith and music, Don't be an airhead – Defining your faith.

Johnny
I had the SweeTarts session and the Big League Chew session. I found that the Big League Chew was about more than just sports. It was about God in sports and his influence, or non-influence, on sports games. Many people had many different opinions. The SweeTarts was my favorite. It was about dating and relationships. I had to go on a “date” with one of the girls in the session. So far, this has been great.

Josh
I was doing the Don't be an Airhead and the Everlasting God Stoppers. First, we were in the Gym, playing a bit of volleyball. Than, a humorous play of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was there. (“Now please be a dear and SIGN THE CONTRACT!!!!”) And then we did a few more things that were really fun. We ate lunch and then went to our periods. I went to Don't be an Airhead. I won a game and got an Airhead crown. Then I went to Everlasting God Stoppers, which talked about things that separate your relationship with God. So that was fun. We are about to have free time. This was really fun.

Kyle
So after the beginning, things got better. We watched an awesome play. Then we listened to a boring the speech. The speaker was cool though. Then we went to lunch. It was BBQ. (:p) Then I realized I lost my pen and borrowed one. Then I went back to the gym and lost it. Haha! I felt bad though. Then we went to sessions. They were pretty cool. I got a lot of candy! (:D) Now we are in free time. There's a lot to do. Though I'm a little bored because I'm not doing anything. :( Haha! ;)

David
This retreat is great experience. This experience could change something that may be important to me.

Tom
As expected this youth rally is a really good trip. We closed out the retreat by taking a short trip to the outlet mall nearby so everyone could pick one piece of chocolate from the awesome specialty chocolate store. I went with a black cherry truffle. I made the right choice! Alright Ceili is about to come on. They are always so good!!!!!!

Josh
There is this big yellow smiley face ball that me and my friend were playing with. He and another person were playing with it and I tried to be monkey in the middle. It got loose and the whole crowd decided to play with it. Then, the ball got up onto the stage and the band members decided to play with it. They played a song while we were jumping up and down trying to hit it. When it got on stage, the lead would kick it. It was so much fun to play that little game, and even more fun to realize that I was one of the main people who started that chain reaction! (=D) But then, after a while, he said that we need to stop playing with childish things... but it was still fun to toss it around. Oh, and Ceili is AWESOME!!! I better end this entry, before the battery runs out. Later!!!

Jason
I did the Big League Chew session and the Sweet Tarts session, I thought both of them were really great. Then we had dinner which was ok, next we went to the concert with was pretty good, it sure was fun but the music wasn't that good, but fun just being there. I think that I might come back here next year. That food was good but the lunch meat was pretty spicy. Overall I thought that the whole thing was pretty good. I think that you guys should do it again because I think that it brings some people closer to God. Well the battery is going to run out so I better stop, hope that this was helpful. Oh, also thank you for the chocolate.


KC
Kyle, Anna, and Kasey found bob aka joe our friend from youth group bowling. We had cool classes we each got door stoppers. And we learned not to be afraid to stand up to things that are put in the way of your faith. We each had other classes as well. Dinner was delicious. We went to the out let mall and got chocolate thank you Tom. We then went to the concert and heard the band they mentioned Maddison's name. The drummer said Kasey;s glasses were cool. Anna gave him some gum and he chewed it. Then we went to MC Donald and we meet a different kind of catholic people and got drinks. Then we drove home


Maddison
After the morning assembly we went to our sessions and the actor playing Charlie was being funny. Then lunch was this really gross pork sandwich and like no one liked it. So then we did stuff and dinner was AWESOME, trust me. PERFECT! Lol. Then Mr. T took us to the Edinburg outlet mall and he got us chocolate. Then we went to the Ceili Rain concert and I got all the band members autographs. Mary thought the guy from the opening act was cute and so yeah... I had so much fun! I’ll def be going back next year. BYE!!