Crestview Student Ministry

See You At The Pole

2010-09-17T11:52:00.001-05:00

See You At The Pole article from the MRT share

TAG TEEN LIST

2010-08-23T22:07:00.002-05:00

Here is the Tag Teen (Accountability Partner) list better known as the "Loop of Love"...lol! Your Tag Teens are there to help you through the journey. Here's how it works: Let's say that you're the first name on the list like...REAGAN! Reagan will make contact with Samantha at some point each day. Samantha will contact Tori...Tori will connect with Bailey and so on. The last person on the list...let's just say CODY! Cody contacts the first person on the list...Reagan. That's the loop! Ask how you can pray for your Tag Teen...if they did their reading...maybe talk about the reading...stuff like that. Be an encourager!! You can call, text, e-mail, IM, pass in the hallways whatever. JUST MAKE CONNECTIONS! Simply find your name below then start contacting the person below you each day. You'll also be contacted daily by the person above you...get it? Got it? GOOD! If you need your Tag Teen's contact info shoot Rob or Molly a text tomorrow...it's too late tonight you know! Ok enough babbling from me...here's the loop:

REAGAN WRIGHT

SAMANTHA KAIL

TORI WATSON

BAILEY MCELREATH

MEGAN HODGES

BETH WEBSTER

CORRINE BEAN

MELODY BENDER

BRITTNEY ROLSTON

MADISON FITZGERALD

CARI GILLETTE

HOPE ROGERS

CAITY BEESON

MADELINE SMITH

CHEYENNE LICHENSTEIN

LINDZEY ROACH

RICHELLE MILLER

AUTUMN CRAWFORD

LEAH DUMAS

AMANDA ODOM

HANNAH DUMAS

LEAH SCHWOPE

MORGAN ST. JOHN

KAITLYN FLUD

LINDSEY EVANS

KIRA DOBSON

KAITI DAVIS

OLIVIA DIAZ

MOLLY VIDETICH

KLAY CUNNINGHAM

COBY ROTAN

DALTON ALEXANDER

BRANDON ROLSTON

ETHAN HARWELL

CALEB BEAN

JOSEPH HERNANDEZ

CODY JUAREZ

That's tha' end! I'm proud of each of you for stepping off on this 40-day journey with Christ and each other! Several adults will also be reading along with us! Let's pray that the 42 travelers beginning this journey will discover new things about living a life of reckless abandon for Christ! YOU MATTER...so seize each day!

Sold-Out September Flow

2010-08-23T21:09:00.004-05:00

OK here's the scooby...and it's changed just a bit! We've had an awesome response, but as a result we've had to order more books!! So the plan is that the new books will arrive on Wednesday. In order for everyone to stay together I want to ask those that already have a book to "stall" in this way: Use today and Tuesday to read The Foreward by Chris Tomlin...The Prologue...The Introduction and The Covenant. Take Wednesday and Thursday to read "Day 1...Take Up Your Cross". Then read "Day 2" on Friday..."Day 3" on Saturday...and on and on like that! Here's the flow for the 40 days:

Thursday, August 26 - DAY 1...TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

Friday, August 27 - DAY 2...HARD WORDS

Saturday, August 28 - DAY 3...RUINED

Sunday, August 29 - DAY 4...REWARDS

Monday, August 30 - DAY 5...EXCUSES, EXCUSES

Tuesday, August 31 - DAY 6...GOD'S WORK

Wednesday, September 1 - DAY 7...KNOW THE WORD

Thursday, September 2 - DAY 8...LIES, NOTHING BUT LIES

Friday, September 3 - DAY 9...WHAT'S YOUR TREASURE?

Saturday, September 4 - DAY 10...RUBBISH...WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Sunday, September 5 - DAY 11...BOUGHT AND PAID FOR

Monday, September 6 - DAY 12...DEATH...AND YOUR GOOD CLOTHES

Tuesday, September 7 - DAY 13...GRACE: CHEAP OR COSTLY?

Wednesday, September 8 - DAY 14...TOO FULL TO EAT?

Thursday, September 9 - DAY 15...THE RISK OF GRACE

Friday, September 10 - DAY 16...GOD'S CURRICULUM

Saturday, September 11 - DAY 17...THE CRUCIBLE OF CHOICE

Sunday, September 12 - DAY 18...THE CROSS: ARE YOU BEYOND IT?

Monday, September 13 - DAY 19..."GOD-AND"

Tuesday, September 14 - DAY 20...GROW UP

Wednesday, September 15 - DAY 21...TRUE WORSHIP

Thursday, September 16 - DAY 22...BE A DOER

Friday, September 17 - DAY 23...DAILY GRACE

Saturday, September 18 - DAY 24...OUR #1 PRIORITY

Sunday, September 19 - DAY 25...BE RECONCILED

Monday, September 20 - DAY 26...SEX

Tuesday, September 21 - DAY 27...SPEAK THE TRUTH

Wednesday, September 22 - DAY 28...DON'T TAKE REVENGE

Thursday, September 23 - DAY 29...LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Friday, September 24 - DAY 30...HOLD THINGS LOOSELY

Saturday, September 25 - DAY 31...PRAYING

Sunday, September 26 - DAY 32...FASTING

Monday, September 27 - DAY 33...SERVING YOUR MASTER

Tuesday, September 28 - DAY 34...NOT PEACE, BUT A SWORD

Wednesday, September 29 - DAY 35...HONOR YOUR PARENTS

Thursday, September 30 - DAY 36...WATCH YOUR WORDS!

Friday, October 1 - DAY 37...A FORK IN THE ROAD

Saturday, October 2 - DAY 38...GOD CAN USE YOU

Sunday, October 3 - DAY 39...AS YOU GO...

Monday, October 4 - DAY 40...THE NEXT STEP

THAT'S ALL HE WROTE! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Sold-Out September Cranks Up!

2010-08-23T13:24:00.005-05:00

Sold-Out September has officially begun! We are currently making the "TagTeen" accountability assignments and will post them here ASAP! Yesterday you should have read up to the "Day 1" reading. Read the "Day 1" reading today. We're trying to stall a bit since we sold-out of books yesterday. We're placing a new order and will get the books out by Wednesday! We're praying for each of you that God would bless you and empower you during SOS! BE STRONG!

FIELDS OF FAITH

2009-10-13T21:52:00.002-05:00

Don't forget tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 14) is "Fields of Faith"! We've invited the Lee FCA to Crestview for "Tailgate-a-palooza"! Brian Jumper will be crankin' up the grill with some groceries you won't want to miss. This all kicks-off at 6 pm in the Crestview west parking lot near the youth entrance. We'll also have inflatables, Wii's, videos, and tons of other stuff goin' on. At 7 pm we'll load up and head over to Grande Stadium for FOF where we'll worship and hear awesome testimonies from students like Lee linebacker John Poe. We'll also be blown away by our guest speaker Rich Garza. Rich played in the NFL for the Denver Bronco's and has a testimony that God has already used to lead 9 students to Christ Monday night at Lee FCA! Our evening will end around 9 pm and your parents can pick you up back at Crestview. Bring a friend and we'll party like the saved!!!!

An Awesome Sunday!

2009-10-04T23:13:00.002-05:00

We had an awesome day in the Crestview Student Ministry! More guests in Morning Blast and learned how Love Risks! Youth Choir...Acteens...The Tribe...Ultimate @ Abell...Rosa's! Gearing-up for Fields of Faith next Wednesday at Grande! Have an awesome week!

Another Banner Day! 5 Crestview Students called to the Ministry!

2009-08-04T01:02:00.005-05:00

Correct Picture link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/watsonredraiders/show/
Today was also wonderful with the students focusing on how to apply God's love to their daily lives. Dave challenged them to "Live within the Ring". He used a circle and divided it in to two sections, one being "The presence of the Lord" and the other half being "The Principles of God's Word". Students were challenged to make choices in life based on living within God's presence and His Principles. Several of our students recommitted their lives to "Living within the Ring" and 5 Crestview students shared that they felt God's call on their lives to full time service in ministry.

God is amazing and has touched each of us in a special way. The most incredible thing to me has been watching as the Lord is unifying our students. At dinner and at worship tonight we noticed that students were sitting and visiting across AGES and groups. This is a specific prayer of ours in ministry. Crestview, get ready.....You might just catch the vision as our students lead out in revival!

A few additional things: Parents, We will be dismissed from celebration by 10:30. We hope to be on the road by 11am. (12:00pm Texas time). Sadly, even with only two stops on the entire trip down, the drive was still a total of 13 hours. This will push back our arrival time to sometime between 3-4 am. We want to appologize for it being such a late pick up time but it just is what it is....Hey...it could be worse...YOU could be on that bus for 14 hours, right! =0)

We are looking forward to getting home and seeing you guys and sharing in person what the Lord has done! Oodles of love! Donna

ps Please pray for a family from DFW who is close to Nate and who were in a previous church of ours (where Nate grew up). Kim and Anthony Brandon, mother and daddy to Alicia and Shelby (twins who soon to leave for college) and Vanessa (Aggie grad and newlywed) were in a tragic accident tonight. Kim and Anthony were both killed - along with two other people in other cars. Please lift up the Brandon family.

OH GLORIOUS DAY!!!

2009-08-03T00:55:00.003-05:00

It truly has been a glorious day! The weather was beautiful all day and there was a peacefulness that was so evident over our students today. God is moving. There is so much to do at this location! Today we had students doing various things such as: jr high group and 9/10th graders took a hike up to a waterfall, senior group did the zip line. There is miniature golf, canoeing, ropes, horseback, frisbee golf, a huge indoor pool, options for additional Bible Study, hanging with the techies classes and other free time options. Rob, Kevin and Jen have rented bikes for the week and are zipping up and down these mountains like lightening (right by my huffing and puffing, I might add....). Quiet times/ Prayer Gatherings/ Worship/ Family group Bible studies are, most importantly, a focus of each day. The best part of my mornings has been a few quiet minutes on my balcony with the most amazing view ever! See:

Dave led us in a very meaningful old Puritan prayer time tonight where we were asked to cup our hands put the thing in our hand visually that we need God to be STRONGER than it is. We prayed that the Lord would help us to release it to him. It was a special time followed by great worship with Jeff and the band and a talk by Dave Edwards.

It has just been a GLORIOUS day! Thanks for the prayers and emails. We love them!!!!! moreover.....We love YOU!!!!!

Check out all of the camp pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/upload/

10 Crestview Students Accept Christ!!!!

2009-08-02T00:14:00.002-05:00

After an incredible evening of worship and teaching, TEN Crestview students have accepted Christ as Savior!!!! Praise Jesus!!! What a special time of sharing and and open hearts. We will list the names in celebration of these victories tomorrow. Students would like to contact their parents before we make postings of their names..and we will be visiting with each of them further to confirm decisions.....but for now...Let's join the angels in their celebration! God is at work!!!! It is early in the week and we have GREAT EXPECTATIONS for the days ahead! Thanks for your continued prayers!
We love you!
Donna

An Awesome Day!

2009-08-01T15:32:00.004-05:00

As crazy as it was yesterday with rain & hail as we arrived...today has been the best with tons of sunshine and perfect temps! After our quiet times we headed to celebration to wake-up and worship with Jeff and the band followed by David's Bible study. We even had another installment of "Edwin's Corner"...hilarious! Then off to rec where the Green Machine and the Yellow Swarm competed in "swarms" of crazy games. Our family groups are now finishing their afternoon Bible studies then it's off to free-time! Thanks for all of the e-mails last night...keep it coming! Pray that God will unify our group like never before!
Nestled in the Rockies,
Rob Dawg

To view all pictures in full page, click: http://www.flickr.com/photos/watsonredraiders/show/

Student LIfe Camp - Leave at 10pm!!!

2009-07-30T11:22:00.003-05:00

Check out the lodges where we are staying. So...what happened to 'Roughing It" at camp???? This is MY kind of camping! It is beautiful!

Girls will be at Indian Creek and Guys are in Aspenbrook. Link to see photos of the lodges is: http://www.ymcarockies.org/content/index.cfm?fuseaction=showGallery&galleryID=56&navID=54

(Linens are provided - You might want to take one towel.)

In case you did not get the link for emails to students via email or facebook, it is: http://camp.studentlife.com/experience/welcome.php?cn=09YMWP02

PLEASE EMAIL MULTIPLE STUDENTS DAILY!

Please be in prayer that the Lord will do a mighty work and that our hearts will be open to hearing HIM!
The students/adults going to camp are:

Adults:

Elisha and Chris Washburn
Kevin and Jennifer Ries
Becky and Jessica Rejon
Rob and Donna Watson
Nate Peace
Matt Sneed
Tatum Guinn
Students:
Sarah Bell
Hannah Dumas
Cheyenne Lichenstein,
Kaiti Firkins
Josie Gerlach
Clair Smith
Tori Watson
Daley Young
Sage Gunn
Richelle Miller
Caitlin Bell
Madison Fitzgerald
Bailey McElreath
Cari Gillette
Madeline Smith
Samantha Kail
Jason Friday
Dillan Friedrichs
Ryan Robbins
Zach Guinn
Klay Cunningham
Jared Rejon
Jeremy Hallmark
Rusty Winn
Dalton Alexander
Jase Rejon
Zach Howard
Coby Rotan

CAMP Time is here!

2009-07-29T16:43:00.001-05:00

CAMP TALK 2009!

2009-07-17T15:57:00.002-05:00

Sunday, July 26th @ 5 PM in the new youth area. Camp Talk 2009 is for the parents of students going to Student Life Camp in Colorado on July 30-August 4. We'll unpack everything about SL Camp like: What to Bring...Emergency Numbers...Web info to communicate with your student during the week...and more! We'll have a notary on site to help everyone finish forms and payments. Call Rob @ 432 210-9138 if you have any questions.

NEW DIGGS...HOLLA!!!!!!!

2009-07-14T23:56:00.007-05:00

We are moving this week so there will be no WAKE but stop by and see the new Youth Hang Zone and Youth Worship Center. VERY COOL! We are looking forward to lots of fun times ahead. Any suggestions for what we should name the 'cafe/coffee shop' in the Hang Zone? Comment below to make a suggestion.

Youth hang zone below isn't quite finished. Glass doors being installed around by the couches (I don't have pics of that cool teal couch around by the entrance yet, sorry. ) Cool rugs and artwork to follow. Wii's and the 3 plasmas are still to come as well as the brushed steel counters, sink, apppliances, etc in the coffee shop. Stay tuned and plan to be amazed! The photo below is Tori, Rob and Brock in Rob's cool new office. No, you can't have his incredible zebra chairs. You know you want to swipe them....don't think that the thought hasn't crossed my mind! haha Rob is quite excited about them!

The Youth Worship Center now has chairs! A few details are still to come in there, as well, including a projector, logo and some cool stainless, magnetic boards. Sunday school classrooms are off to the far doors on the right.

I'll try to get some more current photos as things progress. We are moving our family into a new home this week, as well, so it may be a few days.

Thank the Lord for His Goodness and Blessings!

2009-06-23T19:29:00.003-05:00

DFW Dive is this Friday & Saturday!!!!

2009-06-22T13:44:00.003-05:00

DFW Dive is this Friday & Saturday (6/26 & 6/27)! We’ll be leaving this Friday at 7 AM from the EA Center (gym) and returning Saturday night around midnight. We’ll be staying at the Comfort Suites in Roanoke. This is further north in the metroplex b/c I’m not crazy about staying around Six Flags. This is a very safe area which we used last year. The hotel address is 801 Byron Nelson Blvd., Roanoke, TX 76262…(817) 490-1455. The cost for this event is $75 which includes transportation, lodging, Whirlyball, Ranger's ticket and Six Flags ticket. Regarding meals we will have donuts available Friday morning. The students will be responsible for lunch (fast food) and dinner (restaurant…$10-12) on Friday. Saturday we’ll have a complimentary breakfast at the hotel. The students will be responsible for lunch at Six Flags ($10-12) and dinner (fast food) on the road that night. So you’re probably looking at ~$40 for meals then any snack or souvenir money at Whirlyball, Rangers, and Six Flags. Here's the schedule for the weekend:
Friday - 6:45 AM...Meet at CBC EA Center
7:00 AM...Leave for DFW
Noon...Fast food lunch in DFW
2:00-4:00 PM...Whirlyball in Plano
4:00-6:15 PM...Dinner at Southlake Town Square
7:05 PM...Rangers game vs Padres followed by fireworks
11:00 PM...Check-in at Comfort Suites
Saturday - 9:00 AM...Leave for Six Flags
10:00 AM...Six Flags
5:00 PM...Leave for Midland
Midnight...Arrive at CBC EA Center

Rob
(432) 210-9138 cell
(432) 694-7722 church

2009-06-17T21:51:00.002-05:00

Community Rehab: Ministry BEASTS!

2009-06-16T09:29:00.002-05:00

Dear church,
Our students are BEASTS with power tools, hammers, scrapers and paint brushes! We are so PROUD to be here and call them "OUR" kids! Sunday we arrived around 4pm - just in time to meet our groups and head off to our sites. There are 22 homes in the mix this year receiving new windows, paint, roofs, or some combination of such. Homes are located in four towns - most in DeLeon and Commanche. Our students have been stretched a bit when many were placed on teams where they had no Crestview buds with them - but by the end of the day the first day, most had made lifelong friends with students from all over - Baytown, Canton, Plains, DeLeon, Commanche, Bedford and even a group from Alabama! (probably more towns I'm forgetting)

Our nights are comprised of yummy dinners, worship with Nick (I can't remember his last name, but he and his band have led worship for Crestview a few times.) The spiritual focus of the week is "Reality" and learning to live out the reality of God's Word. After worship, we have a Crestview time and then our regular "Allsups" runs for Dublin Dr. Peppers! (Our youth minister spoils us!) We have been so proud of how our students have stepped up to take on leadership jobs with some leading the crew Bible studies and/or our RainbowExpress (back yard Bible clubs).

Getting them to sleep is not an issue (at least not with the girls). Lights are out at 10:30 and most are ready to crash. The major challenge of the week is having 150 PAINTED on girls getting in to one of the 4 portable showers and getting clean in the 5 minute time limit! (We won't mention the guys AMAZING showering situation.....NO, NO....bitter??? Us?? NO WAY!) =)

Keep us in your prayers as God is moving through our students. Seeing them sacrifice and sweat with smiles in the name of Jesus is a blessing to all.

I have tons of pictures to download but I am going to have to get a new way to download them...sorry. Stay tuned. Nate said he'd give it a shot for me tonight!

Love to all of you!
'Mama' Donna

Community Rehab Update...

2009-06-08T10:33:00.004-05:00

We leave for Community Rehab on Sunday!!! We have changed our departure time to 11:45 AM (right after 10:31 Worship). Our group will be recognized during the 10:31 service. Then we'll eat some pizza and head out! Please wear your D-Now shirts to worship and if you don't have one...we have some extras. We will load our luggage and sleeping gear on Saturday @ 5:00 PM at the EA. This will allow us to have a "stress-free" worship time on Sunday morning. You can find tons of additional information about Rehab at communityrehabproject.org.

Crestview Parental Recharge (CPR)

2009-05-26T17:31:00.002-05:00

Summertime has arrived! In an effort to keep our youth parents connected to what's happening in our student ministry we'll meet this Sunday, May 31st at 5:00 PM. Join us in the Trinity Center Youth Room as we unpack information about Community Rehab, DFW Dive, Student Life Camp, Rock The Desert, Wake, Shoreline and THE MOVE! You'll also get the chance to meet our Summer Intern...Nate Peace.

Happy New Year! Headin' back to Texas!

2009-01-01T00:42:00.002-06:00

We had a wonderful new year's eve here! We dispersed and everyone did exactly what they pleased. One group snow sledded at the park, the hard core skiers jockeyed for unused lift tickets and got an extra day of skiing in, a few even snowmobiled from 1300 feet up, and a big group of us headed to a nearby outlet mall for some fun shopping! I, for one, had a VERY successful shopping excursion!!!!! This has been a fun trip for all!!!

We had such an incredible time of worship tonight and God has been revealing His "Crazy Love" for us! What a blessing! After worship we all headed out to see the fireworks over Maggie Pond and the mountain . We were right under them. It was AWESOME!!!!! The evening is ending with some crammed (and well supervised, I might add) rooms full of kids playing games and counting in the new year's across the country. Fun times!

Most students are packed and we are leaving out early in the morning at 6am (7am Texas time) The drive is about 12 hours and we will have several stops, so we are estimating about 9 or 9:30. Thankfully the bad roads cleared before we arrived and the forcast calls for clear and dry road for our final travel day...Praise the Lord!

See you all NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!! :)
Love you all,
Donna

Ski Breck Tuesday

2008-12-31T00:28:00.003-06:00

Whew! Full day! Everyone did exactly what they wanted today. So much fun. Some of us went to a local park and took sleds. Never had so much fun for FREE (at least the activity...not the trip!)....We had a ball. Brock and Samuel DeLaCruz built a fort in the snow in a beautiful wooded area while a few of the youth soomed down a park hill with lots of the locals. It was beautiful. Our hard core skiers just got more hard core! They left early and did not come in until the last lift made it's run. We are happy to report no injuries and no major sicknesses. Not even any major altitude problems. YAY! Thanks to Jesus!
On a sad note: Please keep our family in your prayers. Rob got a call from the doctor today saying that his daddy has cancer of the liver, pancreas, back, adrenal glands, lymphoma and maybe more. We knew his health was poor but nothing prepares you for that kind of information. The next few weeks will be difficult as it is expected to move very rapidly. Please pray for Rob and that his daddy does not have to suffer. He is a believer and has eternity waiting for him. We are just so thankful that we moved them out to Midland in October so we can be here for them.
Zach is working on downloading my pics but most had problems downloading. I'll try to have more tomorrow.
MUch love to you all!
donna

Ski Breck Report

2008-12-29T09:53:00.002-06:00

What a BEAUTIFUL place this is!!!! The Christmas lights still on every store of the quaint town were something special that I was not expecting! The mountains are glorious! Our God is the master painter! Yesterday did not seem like Sunday since we were not at church...so strange. We all talked about, however, how seeing God's creation in this way - from the mountain tops - is the most AMAZING worship experience that we have ever experienced. WE HAD CHURCH - no doubt about that!

It was a busy day yesterday. Everyone was up bright and early to get skis, etc They all stopped by my room and I sent them all with breakfast. The mountain situation started a bit rocky as half of the mountain was closed due to high winds. That made for long lines, not to mention what that wind does to you in sub zero temps! By noon, it had cleared off and the skiing was fabulous for all (except a few newbies who were a little uncertain at first.) There were fun stories...one (who will remain unnamed) had a fall and lost her ski pants - they came undone and down! haha (thank goodness for layering!) Most did a morning of ski school and were off on their own after lunch. Lunch is fun for me...I had the marathon lunch with kids coming to the room from 11am-3:30 or so as they made it down the mountain. I had a fun time talking with them and making tortilla wraps on the griddle. - but....today...lunch from 11:30-1:00 and I made sack lunches for the die hards.....I plan to do lots of playing in the snow today! --- By 4pm the indoor pool and outdoor hot tubs were FULL with our kiddos. Such fun!!!! This is what bonding and memories are made of!!!!!

Dinner last night was a fiasco, I must admit. The town is PACKED with skiers since it is the week between holidays. The wait at our restaraunt where we shutled to was 3 HOURS - so we ditched it and dispersed....finally ended up at Subway, etc. We will know better tonight - MUST have reservations!

Some of them slept in this morning and are still there but most of them have already picked up lunches and hit the slopes. Michael Fordinal and the band flew in last night. We are SO excited to have them for worship for the next 3 nights. Pray for our students as we are talking about "Crazy Love" (An AWESOME Francis Chan read) - It is about loving God without reservation and is amazing. Where better to learn to love God more than while being in such surroundings where we see is love for us in His creation!

So.....the main thing.....no injuries....PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!!

I'll keep you posted and am trying to get some pics posted.
We love you guys!!! Thanks for sharing your kiddos with us. They are - each one - such treasures!!!!!
Donna

Save Journey! Praise the Lord!

2008-12-28T00:31:00.003-06:00

We made it!!!! Praise God for clear roads and the miracle of adding gas to our tank (like the loaves and fishes) as we traveled the pass!!!!!! He is so good. Everyone is tired after the long drive and hitting the sack. Ski rentals/fittings are at 7:45 in the morning! The snow is WONDERFUL And the town is so picturesc with the Christmas lights still lining each quaint little shop and window. Our rooms are fabulous - even though the views are not great.....no biggie b/c everything is first class. If you want to keep up, go to http://http://www.snow.com/discoverourresorts/breckenridge/landing.aspx
We are at the Great Divide Lodge.

I'll try to get some photos up tomorrow.....these computers are really slow and there is a line for them so I am not sure....

Pray for safe skiing and safe travel as the band flies out to join us tomorrow. Pray also that God will use the beauty of his creation and relationships strengthened to grow His kingdom.

Love in Christ!j
Donna

Ski Breck Scoop

2008-12-22T17:35:00.003-06:00

Final SHOUT OUT to the Ski Breck Crew! We are just days away from shoving off for the Rockies! We keep getting reports of fantastic powder in and about Breckenridge. So...here's the final 4-1-1: Meet at the Crestview EA (Gym) at 6:00 AM this Saturday, December 27th! We'll load the trailer and hit the road by 6:30. We plan on arriving in Breck around 9:00 PM. You can bring a pillow and "blankie" for the vans, but no other bedding is needed. Try to bring a small bag of snacks for the road so we can minimize our stops. We'll get our rental equipment first thing Sunday morning and hit the slopes! Those who are taking lessons will get their equipment first so they can be on time at Ski School. Our shirts are in so feel free to swing by the Crestview EA on Tuesday to pick yours up or just get it when we take off on Saturday. Feel free to call Rob @ 432 210-9138 with any questions that invade the brain. Merry Christmas to all and we'll see you Saturday!

Y-CAT Vision Cast Meeting

2008-11-18T12:10:00.004-06:00

Why is the teenager pictured here so sad?
a) he dropped his cell phone in the toilet
b) he’s an Oklahoma Sooner fan (Go Tech)
c) he has permanent scarring from a vicious hamster bite
d) he hasn’t discovered his gifts
e) all of the above

The answer is "e", but we can't make it official until Saturday (Go Tech again).
Unlike this "Party Poopa"...Crestview Students have discovered their gifts! Here's the next step: Wednesday, November 19 (tomorrow night) Wayne Bartley will be aboard to unpack where we go from here. Wayne is the Executive Pastor of Celebration at FBC Prosper and he will give us a glimpse of how Y-CAT can transform our student ministry! Y-CAT represents our Youth Creative Arts Teams. Wayne will be speaking to our Adults at 6 PM and students at 7 PM. Both of these meetings will be in the Trinity Center Youth Room. So please join us as we take it to the next level and make a difference in our world...for Christ!

S.H.A.P.E. Reminder

2008-10-23T18:54:00.001-05:00

*Hey Crew! Great night @ M...Party b/c You're M...Gifted! Just wanted to remind you to complete the Abilities List we passed out tonight. Select your "Top 5" abilities (the 5 that describe your identity). Keep the list in your Bible and BRING YOUR BIBLE next Wednesday!

**Call me tomorrow if you want me to purchase a movie ticket for you to High School Musical 3 for Saturday night. We'll meet at 6:30 PM at Hollywood Theaters w/ the movie starting at 7:05. The cost is $8.75, but you can probably snag the student rate if you but your own ticket. My cell # is 432 210-9138.

***Also...Sunday is my drop-dead date to add new people to our Ski Breck roster. Cost Information:
Students (Ages 13-18)=$625 ($575 w/out rentals)
Adults (Ages 19+)=$700 ($650 w/out rentals)
Non-skiing Adults=$450
Children (Ages 5-12)=$575
$100 deposit now due.

Greetings From Cowtown!

2008-09-29T18:35:00.002-05:00

Wassup Crestview Crew? Greetings from Cowtown! Just a word to encourage you to finish strong on the last day of Sold-Out September! Tomorrow will close out an awesome experience for me and I hope for you as we roll into October w/ a new understanding of a true commitment to something! 21-day media fast...giving away something of value...Life Links...smelly feet...and on. WOW! It's all to bring you to a point of realizing that life is more than football...Facebook...and fried foods! God loves you and wants to use you...NOW! Stay tuned as we continue to discover our SHAPE and take the reins of the ministries He has laid out for us! Well...back to the grind of moving my parental units from Cowtown to Midland. Donna will have the realm of M...Party this Wednesday. Can't wait to see ya'll Sunday! Stay strong and remember...It doesn't matter what you call a dog with no legs...he ain't gonna come!
Much love 2 all!
Rob Dawg

DAWG Days

2008-09-10T21:37:00.004-05:00

Hey SOS Squad! Just finished Day 10 and had to write about it! So how 'bout that 1/2 day alone with God? Have you started to figure out when you will get it done? Remember, if you can't find time to pray and be in the Word...YOU'RE TOO BUSY! The whole 1/2 day w/ God is somethin' we like to call a DAWG Day. DAWG meaning Day Alone With God, or in this case...1/2 Day Alone With God. Show God HE'S #1 in your world by setting the time aside NOW! We continue to pray for you as you stick it to the devil (I don't capitalize the loser's name). If you feel like you're under attack right now then consider yourself blessed! That means that your SOS commitment has the enemy on the ropes! Keep punchin'!
Much love to you all!
R-Dawg

BIBLE SURFING?

2008-09-09T21:21:00.005-05:00

Hello Puppets! Greetings from the land of the first-time bloggers! Rob Dawg here regaining my composure after losing about :45 of bloggage. That's correct...3/4 of an hour of my life lost in the blog abyss! So let me show you all how much I love you by RETYPING AS MUCH AS I CAN REMEMBER FROM MY PREVIOUS SEMI-POST! Anyway...I love Justin's writing and all that, but I believe he missed one in yesterday's (Day 8) reading. No offense J-Doo, but "Bible Surfing" kinda just skims the surface. Actually, that's what surfing is...skimming the surface of the water right? Well, my feeble brain is gonna lock-onto the idea of "Bible Diving"! I don't want us to hover over the top of scripture. Let's step-off into the depths of God's love letter to us! Romans 11:33 says, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" That's where we uncover the mysteries of this awesome God that we serve...IN THE DEEP! So...let's dive-in! (I would belt out a few bars of SCC's Dive, but I'll restrain myself) You're welcome Clair! Anyway...what a week of SOS bliss for me! 47 of you have made the commitment to seek God in extreme fashion...thank you for steppin' out of the box of normalcy! For those of you who added this week, here's the latest Tag Teen list. And if you have three in your group, feel free to do a true Tag Teen type of accountability. Teen #1 contact Teen #2...Teen #2 contact Teen #3...and Teen #3 contact Teen #1. Clear as stinkin' tar right? Well...here it tis':

Caity Beeson/Cari Gillette/Madeline Smith
Clair Stephens/Josie Gerlach
Cheyenne Lichenstein/Kaiti Firkins
Christine Bean/Sara Gillett
Holly Davis/Katelyn McInturff
Jase Rejon/Ethan Harwell/Daniel Luna
Jeremy Hallmark/Jared Rejon/Coby Rotan
Kaitlin Wingo/Darci Harwell
Bryce Bender/Josh Sierman
Kaitlyn Flud/McKenzie Land/Beth Webster
Kayla Flud/Lindsey Evans/Marcus Thomas
Megan Hodges/Richelle Miller/Tori Watson
Payton Ray/Kyle Moss
Ryan Robbins/Monty Winn
Samantha Kail/Brittany Rolston/Hannah Potter
Sarah Derington/Melody Bender/Kobi Sierman
Stephanie Dresel/Morgan St. John/Hannah Dumas
Richard Miller/Rusty Winn/Dillan Friedrichs

*Remember to call me at (432) 210-9138 if you need your Tag Teen's contact info.

Seize the day!
Much love,
Rob Dawg

SOS Tag Teen List!

2008-09-01T18:19:00.007-05:00

Hey, guys! We are so encouraged by the great turnout in your Sold Out September commitments. It is really going to challenge each of us, but we can't "outgive" God. He is going to bless your sacrifices and your desire to grow closer to Him in more ways that you know.

Below you will find your Tag Teen member(s). Please be in contact with him/her every single day. You may do so by phone, text message, email or by seeing them at school, etc. Be creative. A note on their windshield or a treat left for them in a class may be just the encouragement that they need for the day.

We have the phone numbers and contact information for your Tag Teen members but we don't want to publish those numbers on the internet. If you do not have the contact info for yours, call or text Rob or call Kaci at the church and someone will have it for you. If your name is not posted, it may be that we don't have your commitment card yet. Please contact Rob as soon as possible if you choose to participate and you are not listed below. We will get you a Tag Teen ASAP.

Tag teens will be either two or three people as follows:

Caity Beeson/Cari Gillette/Madeline Smith
Clair Stephens/Josie Gerlach
Cheyenne Lichenstein/Kaiti Firkins
Christine Bean/Sara Gillett
Holly Davis/Katelyn McInturff
Jase Rejon/Ethan Harwell
Jeremy Hallmark/Jared Rejon
Kaitlyn Wingo/Bryce Bender/Darci Harwell
Kaitlyn Flud/McKenzie Land
Kayla Flud/Lindsey Evans
Megan Hodges/Richelle Miller/Tori Watson
Payton Ray/Kyle Moss
Ryan Robbins/Monty Wynn
Samantha Kail/Brittany Rolston/Hannah Potter
Sarah Derington/Melody Bender
Stephanie Dresel/Morgan St. John

We are excited to see what the Lord is doing each day. Subscribe to this blogspot and LEAVE LOTS OF COMMENTS. It will be neat to hear how the Lord is moving in your lives. We can share in each of our highs and lows as God begins to shape us all.

Today, Day one....IF ANYONE HAS MADE A DECISION FOR THE FIRST TIME TO FOLLOW CHRIST......CALL ROB OR I ASAP!!!!!

Today's memory verse:

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

An SOS for Back to School Blues

2008-08-25T20:47:00.005-05:00

Well, we are all back to school. No more lazy summer days or trips from here to yonder.....It's time to hit the books, find time for practices, clubs, etc.....and, most importantly....It is time to PRIORITIZE GOD in the mix. Sunday we kick off S.O.S. or "Sold Out September". Be sure that you are IN THE MIX. It is the time to kick things off to the RIGHT start. My parents always told me, "You will only get out of something what you are willing to put IN." Another thing they said was, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." ...... So often we are guilty of saying things like "I'm just not being fed" when it comes to church. Maybe we should look closely at our lives and see if we are "SPIRITUALLY ANOREXIC". That is, the banquet table is laid in God's WORD, through devotionals, Bible studies, and quiet moments alone with Jesus, but we are CHOOSING Not to eat. Let's not be guilty of spiritual anorexia. Let's take that first "BITE" and begin to be nourished by being in God's WORD daily and taking hold of all He has for us. Join us for "Sold Out September" and start off the year RIGHT. You won't be sorry!

Join us for :
Mmmmm....Party on Wednesdays at 7:00 (Trinity Center - Youth Room)
Sunday school on Sunday at 9am v(TC- Youth Room)
S.O.S. (Sold out September) Sunday @ 6:00pm (TC - Youth Room)
CPR (Crestview Parental Recharge) Youth Parent Meeting - Sunday 5:00 pm (TC - Youth room)

Safe and Sound!

2008-08-08T00:28:00.001-05:00

Everyone is home safe and sound! Let the stories begin.........!

On to Texas Soil!!!!

2008-08-07T16:54:00.002-05:00

Just talked to Rob. The team is in line at the border right now - 4:55. They will probably be home at around 10pm.
We are all EXCITED to have DADDY HOME!!!!!!

Stay tuned in days to come. I will post pics to share!

Heading Home!

2008-08-07T08:32:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the delay in blogging. We spent a couple of days at the lake with Eva and Coby. Fun times!
Before I start the blogging, I will put the plea out one more time:
Is there ANYONE who feels led to help take the vans back to El Paso???? Byron flies out to Atlanta upon his return and Rob was suppose to have kids at Rock the Desert on Friday- but he and I will have to forego RTD for the van return as it stands.. They are going to be exhausted ...Anyway....It is a need, please pray about it and see how the Lord leads.

The last couple of days I've only had only a few text messages.

Tuesday was a pretty rough day for them as they lost 5 to sickness. They were able to go into one of the villages, however and had a great day of ministry. Noone accepted Christ on Tuesday but they felt that the people were very receptive and the students did a beautiful job again in ministry.

Wednesday Text:
"Day was fun...everyone was feeling better. We toured Copper Canyon then went to the hot springs in another part of the canyon. Ate pizza in Creel tonight...then everyone finished shopping. Leaving at 6am for home!"

I asked what time they thought they'd be back and he said "9pm?????" With the road into Creel being crazy as they have been for them each day, I think that he was afraid to put an exact time on it. If I hear more, I will post!

Thank you for praying for the team this week and, parents, for entrusting your treasures to Rob and Byron (and mostly to the Lord) for the week. I know that, like me, you are anxious to have them all back on Midland soil! Isn't it such a blessing to hear the stories and know what a beautiful ministry that they have had this week!
God is SOOOOO GOOD!!!!

By the way...keep this blogspot on your favorites. We will begin to use this for details (time, place, etc) when we have an activity!

An Email from Daddy.....3 Accepted Christ today!!!!!

2008-08-04T22:52:00.004-05:00

(Pics from Ryan)

We were so excited .....we just got an email from daddy! (Rob, of course) I thought I'd share it with you since it shows what is going on with the team. Sounds like things are going well! Salvations to report!!!!

From Rob to family: "

Hey Fam! Miss each of you sooooo much! We just finished our group time tonight and Josh led us in a great time of reflection. We were finally able to go into one of the Tarahumara villages today! Wow...God is good! Two women and one girl accepted Christ today after Miguel's wife, Azuzana, gave her testimony about spending time as a single mom. Several of the ladies in this village are single moms and it really hit them where they were. Our team did an awesome job playing with the children (basketball, catch, balloon animals, and just balloons...all of the balloons we had). Monty spent time cutting the boy's hair...like an expert as it is in the genes! Sage read the Bible story and Tara gave a word of testimony to about 45 Tarahumara. The roads were again crazy, but our "Little Mules" (aka-the vans) were up to the task. Tomorrow we are set to go into another village where we will prepare lunch for about 70 Tarahumara. Again we ask for your prayers for travel safety...health...and another receptive village to minister in! Can't wait to return home, but continue to have expectant hearts as God uses our team here in Creel. Well...about to run out of battery so...TTFN! I love each of you so much!

Rob (Daddy)

*As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people. Psalm 125 :2

I will keep you posted if I hear anything before we leave, but I probably won't have a computer to post tomorrow night. Eva is taking us all to the lake for some fun before daddy gets home. We should be back Wed night with a report. Feel free to comment on a blog if you get any new info. Everyone would love to hear what you hear!!!!
Blessings!
Donna

YEAH A PHONE CALL!!!!

2008-08-04T11:31:00.004-05:00

YEAH A PHONE CALL!! I just thought I'd give it a try and it went through! We were both surprised! (although I don't know what international roaming may cost....I may be taking donations!) It was very encouraging to hear Rob's voice as he was having such a good time. I think I was most worried that they were discouraged - but that is not at all what I got. They had worked on building the bunk beds all day and interacted with some of the people. They were able to take a scenic drive up to see the waterfalls, then the owner of the encampment where they are staying had a really nice fajita dinner for them. Rob said that the hotel owner is going above and beyond to take care of them and make everything so nice. He even called some of his friends who play the guitar and some flute thingy to come in for entertainment during dinner. He said they were playing all of the oldies - Boston, etc. and the kids were diggin' it. Tiffany even requested "Hotel California" and they busted it out! He said that the kids had a GREAT time.
They had a sweet time of prayer last night, as well. Rob does something that we call "the chair" which he uses to minister to students. A chair is placed in the center of the room and anyone who needs prayer sits in the chair. The other students (as led) gather around and pray over that student. Rob was touched by the students willingness to minister to one another.
As for today, the plan was to go to two different villages, I believe.

NOTICE: The link on the right to "American Gringo Ryan's" website on Creel. Ryan has a ministry building water wells. There are some great Creel photos and it will give you an idea of where they are. http://www.downinmexico.org/creel.html

Prayer needs for the day/week:

You may or may not have heard that Bradly Kuhn lost his grandmother over the weekend. Please be in prayer for the Kuhn family - esp. for Bradly. It was decided that Bradly remain on the trip - but we know that it is difficult to be away from family at a time like this.

Also pray for :

good weather and safe passage today to the villages.
the health of several of the students and Byron who are not feeling 100%.
the team to have the opportunity to minister to many.
spiritual growth and maturity as our group gives to the Lord.
encouragement, endurance, patience and strength as they face challenges.

OUR GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!

Waterfalls!

2008-08-03T16:55:00.002-05:00

Rob's update came at 4:55 today in the form of a text message:
"No village today due 2 possible heavy storms :( Went to church this morning .....Working on construction of beds today. (part of their planned ministry) Plan to go see waterfalls this evening....ready to minister to the T Indians."
Maybe God wants them to minister right where they are!

Tony sends a message....

2008-08-03T16:05:00.004-05:00

Well, I have been anxious today wanting to hear. Rob sent a text to connect me with Tony's wife. "American Gringo Ryan" is the missionary who has been helping our team from the beginning. He builds water wells for the Tarahumara Indians. Tony is his friend from from Monroe,LA. Tony and his son, Charlton, went with our group. Also, Charlton speaks Spanish, THANKFULLY! Rob has a minor in Spanish, but hasn't used it in years - so they are quite thankful for the interpreters! Tony's wife, Patti, received this email from Tony and was gracious enough to share it. Maybe we will all sleep better knowing a little more! I have just included excerpts from his email to his wife:

Tony writes, "There was an incident on the highway that would have delayed us another 4 1/2 hours, and the police rerouted traffic through a long dirt route through the woods. Even some 4 wheel drive vehicles were getting stuck! It's amazing that God got us through with vans-- even pulling a trailer. We must have driven through half a dozen different creeks/rivers!

Ryan and his family are so nice! The people from Midland are great, too. The place we are staying is a nice set of cabins just outside Creel. The water isn't very hot, but this place is run by a wonderful Christian man, and all the hearts are warm. Charlton is loving all this.

I will keep trying to contact you by phone, but for now the owner here has loaned me the internet connection in his office. I am carrying my cell phone everywhere. As long as we're not in the villages I have analog signal. I think I could receive a call from you-- just keep trying. We are going to Ernesto's church today at noon. We'll be doing some touring by the lake this morning after breakfast. Charlton and I are separating from the group and working with Ryan tomorrow. So far, everything about this is such an adventure. Thank you for your prayers!!!

We can't help but notice God's hand in all this. We met some of the Tarahumaras yesterday. They were selling crafts by the lake-- children running everywhere. And we saw where some of them still live in caves in the rocks. We are taking so many pictures!! Don't worry about us--- we'll bring ya'll some gifts back with us. Let me know if you would like something in particular-- I'll try to find it.

Weather here... this is the rainy season. It rains every afternoon. They like us to wear jeans around the Tarahumara, because they think shorts are like underwear. Funny!

This is all that we really know for now. I am convinced that the Lord is desiring to do a work because the battle seems so difficult. We are reminded that our battle is the Lords and that Satan opposes us when we are doing God's will. Let's join together in prayer for our team to be spiritually prepared in the full armor of God so they can press on to complete God's call for them. By the way....we know the final score.....God WINS! =0)

Eph. 6:11-13
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Comment if you have any new news! We can use this to share!

Crazy + Steroids!

2008-08-02T23:01:00.002-05:00

I was a little worried tonight when I got my text message answer to "How was the day"...The answer from Rob, "Imagine the craziest possible scenario...and add steroids!" You can imagine how my mind raced (I don't think that he has realized that I get his text messages delayed.....so I spent a few hours wondering....) But the next response was this, "Someone had an accident on the mountain road into Creel...caused us 2 have 2 turn trailer around on narrow road...went cross-country (literally)...don't know how we made it through! God is so GOOD!"....So...We can celebrate that they are all okay and pray that tomorrow is a bit more settled and as routine as it can be in the circumstances so that they may focus on ministry. God has them there to fulfill HIS purposes and no one will be able to stand against HIM. He is ALWAYS victorious.
Joshua 1:5-9 (The Message)
"In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

Saturday: "We SHOP!"

2008-08-02T12:18:00.002-05:00

Rob was able to get a text message off to me today at 12:18 and asked for me to forward it to you. He said, "Still in route 2 Creel...spent last high in Chihuahua at Hotel Houston. Finally got acrross the border yesterday around 5. We are going into a Tarahumara Village later today, but now...WE SHOP!!!!"
So...sounds like things are going well at this point. I don't know how long texting will work. He could not get a call out but could text...??... At this point, we're just glad to hear from them.
I will update you as I hear!

Mexico Bound

2008-08-01T18:17:00.001-05:00

The Crestview Student Ministry Mexico mission team has made it in to Mexico. This is not without a few holdups from the Mexican government, however. Students sat at the border and waited as the government decided that it was okay for the VANS to be passed over the border. They allowed the students, adults, items on the trailer and the trailer itself...just not the vans. At one point I think that Rob and Byron were ready to be saddled up like mules and pull the trailer over by themselves! At around 5:30 - after about a 5 hour ordeal, they are in...(just in time to have to delay travels and have to enjoy a Mexican border hotel....hmmmmmm....wonder if anyone made any pesos off of that!??)
They will travel to Chihuahua and should reach there before dark. They plan to stay there tonight.
Remember that they will probably not have cell service after that, so stay posted. I will update this blog as I get information.
We will continue to pray for God to do a great work!