I mentioned in an earlier post that Michael, Alec and I went to a Confirmation Retreat in February to El Camino Pines, a Lutheran Regional Camp located near Frazier Park in Los Padres National Forest. We were lucky to have a bit of patchy snow on the ground, maybe two inches but quickly melting! We took 22 youth up there, the largest group Pastor Gary and his wife, Corrine, have ever taken in 25 years.
We've got a great group of kids; living in suburbia we had no real concerns as we left for our adventure. However, nothing could have prepared us for the incredible transformation that took place as those kids stepped out into the snow. Many, and I was surprised to learn just how many, had never been in snow. The amazement and wonder in their eyes as they felt and experienced it was indescribable. They of course couldn't be stopped from starting a snowball fight before bed. One of our chaperones, Doug, brought up a "Snowball Maker," which became the most coveted item of the weekend!
The topic of instruction for the weekend was "Law and Gospel." We each took a portion of the lessons, which helped keep the youths' attention (?) by switching out our different styles of teaching. Of course, we gave them plenty of breaks to send them back out into the snow...
Saturday afternoon was just for them--and they were able to find a slope to sled down and enough snow with which to build a snowman. Some chose to stay inside and spend their energy in other ways...When we gathered again, we spent some time in worship and celebrated Communion.
By Sunday they were so tired but wouldn't admit it. They wanted to get in "One More Snowball Fight!" I mean, who knows when they'll see snow again? There were kids running off in all different directions; it was nearly impossible to round them all up to take one final picture and load them into the cars. But load them we did, and returned them with what I hope are amazing memories of snow and friends, Law and Gospel, and the God who created all.
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