WE

Back in September the middle school group took an overnight trip to New Frontiers. We had a blast on their ropes course. However, we walked away with more than a day of fun but a better understanding of the pronoun we. The ropes course challenged us in a tangible manner to look to others for help, advice, and safety. While many of us were pushed beyond our fears one common denominator to get us through was the help of a friend. The pronoun I is not enough to get us through the circumstances of life. The beauty of we says, "two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their work. For if they fall, one will lift up his friend. But sad to him who is alone when he falls and has not a friend to lift him up. And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him." We screams out, "I got your back!!"

Summer Fun

The summer fun began with a retreat in June to the Jonathan Creek Camp with the Brentwood FBC middle school gang. Then July 18th, we had the chance to go to Atlanta and watch as the Braves played the Nationals.

At Jonathan Creek we spent four days with pirates, who taught us how to do the slow clap and how to do the pirate dance. We had many competitions, including filling up a canoe with water, and emptying the water-filled canoe. We also had to build a boat out of cardboard and duct tape then race across the water and back to land in that boat. The Murfreesboro girls chose Katie Ann to paddle through the water. She barely made it in the water when the boat sank, but paddle and boat in hand she swam and completed the race. The Murfreesboro boys chose Zach to represent them in the race. The boat was placed in the water and he was able to speed across safely in their cardboard box.

During the retreat we learned that chasing after things of this world, such as fame, fortune, or relationships, can be like chasing after the wind. You end up feeling empty. God is the only one who can satisfy our hungry hearts.

July 18th, we traveled down to Georgia for a Braves game. After an exciting game, Braves 7 Nationals 6, there was a fireworks show. We, then, traveled to Jessica Sherrod's parents' house were we enjoyed homemade cookies and drinks. Then we rested for the night some getting 8 hrs of sleep, while most only had 4.

Chasing the Wind

Ready for Summer Camp? We will be going to Summer Camp with our friends from Brentwood. Here is the scoop! The dates for camp are May 29th-June 1st. The cost of $150 and gets you everything you need (transportation, place to sleep, something to eat, fun activities to do). We are leaving from Blackman Middle School at noon on the 29th and coming back in the afternoon on the 1st. This year we are headed to Kentucky for camp at Camp Jonathan Creek. Come and bring your friends and get ready to have some fun!!

R U Legend!!

What's up Middle School Peeps??

Over the Christmas Break I had some down time to watch the new Will Smith movie "I AM Legend". Will Smith's character Robert Neville is alone in Manhattan seeking to find a cure for a deadly viral outbreak that turns people into vampire-like creatures known as dark-seekers. The movie is about one man's journey to remedy the situation and his personal sacrifice for the cause.

As I sat in the movie theatre watching the developing story line of Will Smith's character one word came to my mind, "change". A word associate game with the word "change" will draw a wide array of emotions. Most of us are not comfortable with change. Think for a moment about your day. When you wake up I would guess you have the same routine, at school you sit with the same people at lunch, you have the same seat in your class, and when you get home from school you watch the same T.V. shows and play the same video games (I also could add music but enough is enough).

This semester at "The Junket" we will be discussing the topic "R U Legend". Like Will Smith's character Robert Neville, we find ourselves in the midst of a crisis situation. We are not trying to find a cure for the dark-seekers that roam the 'Boro. However, as we begin our teen years we recognize life is not as it should be. We desperately desire more than this world can offer. We want to know there is a God who can provide hope for us in our current circumstances. The journey only begins once we trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our mess. "R U Legend" is about one word "CHANGE". Changing our hearts to Change our world. Change always begins within.