Annual Teen Valentine Banquet and Scavenger Hunt 2016

Every year we host a Valentine's Banquet and scavenger hunt around Valentine's Day for our church youth group.  It's always fun because there are always new kids involved every year, but this year might have been the highest number of new kids we have had in many, many years - or perhaps, ever!  It's been a blessing to have our youth group grow over the past year and we pray that it continues to do so.

This year we were able to start the "hunt" a few hours earlier because we had an afternoon, after lunch, worship service in place of the evening worship service.  Because it was light outside, we were able to add new things to the scavenger hunt list.  Many things were service projects: Taking the trash out and taking the can to the street for pick up day the next day.

....and singing to someone over 90 years old!  This sweet man turned 98 yesterday!

....unloading someone's dishwasher....

....washing someone's windows....

....and fun things, too, such as getting a picture with everyone in the air at the same time (I missed it thinking I got it!).

The hunt was followed by the "banquet". The teens are "served" their food.  They are instructed to remain seated, though many feel awkward not clearing the table and taking their things to the trash!  We sweetly reminded them that we were serving them! :)

The evening ended with singing and a devotional (top picture).  My husband also talked to them about using God's name only in the right way - not in vain.  He talked to them about how important it is to use the word "holy" for only holy things: God is holy.  Many things we hear the word holy being used for are unholy, for sure.  Then he went on to the devotional time, telling them to notice people...specifically to notice people who are hurting.  We sometimes get too busy to notice those who may be hurting that are all around us.  

It was a great evening and a great time for the teens to grow closer together.  We are thankful for the adults who helped us with the evening, by driving the scavenger hunt groups around.  And to those who allowed the teens to enter their homes for the hunt items and activities.  It's fun for them, as well!  

Goals - A Public Service Announcement for Teenaged Girls

Marriage and family/parenting topics are my very favorite things to talk about.  One thing that I keep noticing - especially on social media - is lists of things that girls expect from boys.  They go on and on and on with what they expect.  Are some of those things good?  Of course.  But the problem is that many girls expect a long list of things from boys, yet they believe that they act any way they please and it's just fine.  Having three boys, I'm especially protective of them in regards to girls - well, pushy girls, anyway.  And any girl that thinks that one of my boys will be their "everything" will be sadly mistaken.  None of my three boys are perfect.  In fact, NO boy is perfect.  And no girl is, either.

Yesterday morning I wrote a quick message to my young girl friends.  I know some of them will pay attention to it and think about it and perhaps some of the adult women will, too.  I had several comments and messages about it...even people wanting to print it off for their granddaughters.  I pray it helped even one to think about how they view boys.  It will save them a lot of heartache in life if they realize these things.

Here it is:

"GOALS"

Public Service Announcement for my teenage girl friends who I care very much about!!

DON'T expect too much from boys. Some of you want him to be EVERYTHING for you. HE CAN'T BE. No one can be that except God.

Boys were made by God to be much different than you. Their brains are wired very different from yours. Do not expect them to understand your needs and wants and desires in everything. It's not that they aren't intelligent, but that they just were created differently from you. They can not think the way you do. It's impossible. (And based on raising three and being married to one, they each understand women/girls in different capacities, based on their personalities and genetic make-up.) And different doesn't mean wrong or inferior either way.

Don't base your worth on what society tells you is right. It's not about social media popularity. It's not about wearing the right clothes, having a boyfriend, or any of that stuff that won't matter in 10 years...even five years.

Your are worthy because you were made by an awesome God who loves you and cares for you. No human on earth will ever compare to that, so don't look for and expect that to be your source of happiness.

If you want to be treated like a princess, then act like one. Don't expect a perfect prince, though. He doesn't exist. Those are Disney fairytales. 😊 But don't expect your prince to be almost perfect, yet you, the princess,  gets to act as please. That's not fair. If you want to be treated like a princess, then treat him like a prince. It goes both ways.

Don't be in a hurry. Someday you'll find "the one". In that process, don't lower your standards because you're lonely and feel incomplete. Wait. It will be worth it. It may not be a Disney fairytale, but it will be yours.

That's "goals".

Scavenger Hunt List for Youth Group

Someone asked for the list of scavenger hunt we did Sunday night with our youth group.  I decided that many might be interested.  This is the list we used Sunday night, but I'll also list some afterwards that are from lists we've done before (the ones I couldn't get to on my computer).  If you have any ideas for scavenger hunts, let me know.  Our ideas are based on a small town of less than 800 people.  If you're in a bigger town there are so many more ideas for fun things; however, it's pretty neat that the kids know where almost everyone lives here so they can go looking for their treasures at certain places!

RULES:
No Speeding!! :)
No more than one item per house!
Nothing from our house (the starting place)!

1. Buy $.06 (cents) worth of gas and have the cashier sign the ticket (we only have one place to get gas that is a convenience store).
2. Have an Elder sign here: _________________________________
3. Have one of our song leaders sign here: _________________________
4. Get an official (fake offense) written warning from a policeman. (This is easy in a small town and one of the adult drivers is also a policeman so called him and warned him.)
5. Get a photo of the whole team and a police officer in front of the van.
6. Go do a good deed for a high school teacher. Take a picture with the whole team and the teacher.  Have the teacher sign and list the good deed.
7. Go sign a song to someone over 80.  List song and get signature of person.
8. Go get a crayon rubbing. Use purple crayon.
9. Get a birthday candle. Any color.
10. Get a movie ticket stub.
11. Get a McDonald's sack, cup, or other wrapper/trash.
12. Get a photo with an elementary teacher and the whole group.
13. Buy something for someone at Hop & Sack. Get a photo with the whole group. (No alcohol or cigarette/tobacco purchases.)
14. Go sing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" to a cottage (we have a children's home here and the houses are called "cottages").
15. Collect 50 pecans.
16. Get a Walmart sack and fill it with trash (not from a trash can).
17. Get something from the state championship game (football), but NO CLOTHING!
18. Get signature from a former military person. _______________________________
19. Get a photo of the whole group on the play slide/structure at Tipton Home (could do city park).
20. Bring back two people who were not at our house before the hunt.

OTHER ITEMS FROM THE PAST:
Little red Bible
Church directory
Record album
Yearbook from 1970's
Heart cookie cutter
Silk flower ( I think we did a blue one.)
Menu from a restaurant
A Sonic cup
Something from a certain university or sports team. (OU, OSU, OKC Thunder, or Texas Rangers were some we did.)

Teen Valentine Banquet & Scavenger Hunt 2013

(SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  THE PLAYLIST is working again!  Turn your sound up and listen to Hallal and The Zoe Group!)

Sunday night was our annual "Teen Valentine Banquet & Scavenger Hunt".  

We had a huge turnout, having to add more tables and chairs as the others filled up.

Thankfully, I had made plenty of food, but it's the first time that ALL of the lasagna and ALL of the dessert was totally eaten!  Many got seconds, but we were glad there weren't many leftovers.  We tire of lasagna in a hurry if there is ever any left!

As in the past, I made chicken and beef lasagna.  You can find the recipes to serve large groups on my "Life's a Bowl of Cherries" blog.

This time I made the most breadsticks ever - 180!  There were 20 left.  This recipe can also be found on the "Cherries' blog.  They are a favorite of the youth and the adults.  

The scavenger hunt was different this time.  My big desktop computer is having major problems, so I couldn't print out the hunt list from the past.  Quickly one of the adults helped me put one together while the teens ate their meal.  He helped come up with some fun ideas since he is also a member of our small town police department!  One was to go get a "ticket" from the officer on duty.  It wasn't a real ticket or a real offense - just something made up with his signature.

The first group to arrive decided to trick the other two groups.  They moved their van to the back of our fence - in the field.  When the second group arrived, they thought they were first!  As they busted through the door, they were surprised to see another group sitting in the living room, calmly waiting on the others!

You many remember that part of the hunt list says to bring back two people that weren't previously at our house.  That is a neat part because many in town "want" to be picked up!  They are hoping to be part of the hunt.  Most likely many are NOT wanting to be a part!  That's the funny part :).

When all of the groups got back, my husband did a devotional.  It was a great illustration using silly putty.  I'll share it soon....or have him share it :). 

The singing was BEAUTIFUL with all of us gathered in our living room/dining room/kitchen.  I would have liked to sing like that for hours.  (Tonight is our monthly singing night - yay!)

There are many fun events and opportunities for spiritual growth for the youth throughout the year, but I would like to think that this annual event is one of those special times that they look forward to each year.  I know I do.

What a blessing to have so many in our youth group in this small town of less than 900 people!  We are very thankful for each and every one of them and pray that we are teaching them and sharing Christ with them in all that we do.

Parents Be Aware: The Problem with Snap Chat

Technology has opened up so many new windows of opportunities to do things.  Even by this blog I have met so many wonderful people all around the country!  Last week a young lady from New York wrote about some decorations I had shown in a post.  Now I am going to be helping her decorate for her wedding by sending her the decorations!  How neat is that!  

But with the good, there is some bad, and we must be aware of the bad.  Not to dwell on it, but to protect ourselves and our families.  Specifically, our children need us to be actively involved in guiding them to make good choices.

A popular thing with youth today is sending pictures of themselves to others.  That may be okay to some degree (though personally I believe that anyone who takes multiple pictures of themselves and posts them or sends them has a self image problem that needs to be addressed), but a new app called SnapChat that is popular among teens is one that is being used for "sexting". Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photographs, primarily between mobil phones.  It has been popular for quite some time and can be used on other social media, as well (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), but the difference with this app is that the picture is not stored on the sender's phone or the receivers phone.  It disappears.  So people can send the picture and not worry whether it will be saved and used in another way.  Parents won't see it or even find out.  Other kids won't see it, though the kids can tell about it.  There's no proof that it was sent or received.  It's a big problem in our world today.

Below is a link for a great article about this app, from a Christian perspective.  Of course, just because someone has the app doesn't mean they are using it in the way mentioned.  It's not the app itself that's bad.  It's just being used in that way.  

Take the time to look at the link, because it's more prevalent than you might think.  Parents and grandparents - be aware!  Something that may not seem like a big deal to some of our youth is actually a very big deal.  Studies have shown that once a young person sees pornography type pictures - it will be etched in their minds for a long, long time....perhaps forever.  This can (obviously) cause problems for the rest of a young person's - or older person's life.  It can cause problems with careers. It can cause serious relationship problems.  It can cause addictions that are not easily overcome.  It's a really big deal.  Don't brush it off.

http://www.radicallychristian.com/what-is-this-snapchat-app

 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Romans 13:13-14

Back 2 School Youth Rally

The Tipton church held its first EVER youth rally this afternoon and evening.  It was a "Back 2 School" theme, and many of the activities and talks focused on ways the teens to take God/Jesus to school.  Many youth from Oklahoma - and a few from Texas - attended the event, plus our own youth. There were about 75 teens in all, with lots of adults in attendance, as well.

The first activity the teens were asked to do was to write down things that kept them from taking God "Back 2 School".  The most common answers were "friends" and "peer pressure".  Those things were discussed throughout the event as adults talked to teens about ways to combat those obstacles.

Several "teamwork" themed games were played.  This one involved moving a cotton ball down the group line by sucking it in on the end of a straw.  It was funny to watch!

Another activity was a spoon/ping pong ball relay.  Of course the goal was to NOT drop the ping pong ball and be the first group done.

My brother-in-law is our minister and he did an interview with one of our nephews, who happens to be a HS/JH coach and teacher.  Since many of the teens knew him from our church camp or school, it was perfect for them!  Travis answered questions about what he saw at school - in the hallways, the good and bad of teens standing up for what's right/wrong, things that he feels get in the way of the teens taking God to school....etc.  It was great!  He's a GREAT role model for the teens!! 

A side shot of the teens.  The singing was BEAUTIFUL!!!

Of course, with teen events, there must be food!  Here my son and nephew are having a little "cousin time" eating their grilled hamburgers!

The ever-important desserts!  There were LOTS!

My husband spoke on the topic "Choices".  He gave the teens some practical ways they can make good decisions as they go back to school.  They CAN take God/Jesus "BACK 2 SCHOOL"!!  Here he wasn't speaking, though.  He was getting ready to demonstrate how far he can blow a ping pong ball out of his mouth.  Teens need to know things like that, don't they??! :)

The neat part about the youth rally was that many of the teens in attendance go to camp together. This special group of girls are able to get together many times throughout the year, though they live in four different towns.  What a special thing to have Christian friendships that will last FOREVER!

The youth rally was a definite success!  Unless Jesus comes back before next year, I'm certain there will be a 2nd Annual "Back 2 School" Tipton Youth Rally!

Teens - Be a Rebel!!

Yes!  Be a REBEL!  What?  Does that surprise you that I'm actually encouraging teens to be a rebel?  Well, hold on a minute and you'll understand what I mean.  And parents, you can learn to be a rebel as well.  Often times parents have a hard time with some of these ideas, too.

Most of the time we think of a rebel as something bad - something negative.  Specifically, we think of a rebel as someone who doesn't like to follow rules.  But, I want to encourage you to be a rebel in a positive way. I want to challenge you to go against the flow, to say no to what is popular, to resist peer pressure.  I want to challenge you to strive to do the right thing, to stand up for those who need help, and to stand up for what is right and true and good.  I challenge you to resist the devil and to live your life in a way that is pleasing to God, in the footsteps of Jesus.

Being a rebel for a positive cause is hard, much harder than living a life going along with the crowd.  You may get hurt.  You may be shunned.  You may even be persecuted.  But you know what?  You will find that  living this new life as a rebel will do amazing things for you.  You'll notice that you have a lot less drama.  You'll notice that you have a lot less stress.  You may even notice a positive change in your whole attitude, as well as in everything you do.  If you're having a hard time at home, you may see those relationships improve.  If you're struggling in school, you may find those struggles diminish.  And if you find yourself feeling depressed, you may become aware of an inner peace that you've never had before.  It actually will make you feel better to know you are doing what is right.  There is a calmness that comes when you are living your life to the glory of God instead of to receive the praises of a few friends.

There is a great site for teens about being a positive rebel.  It's at www.therebelution.com and the two guys who founded this cause focus on rebelling against low expectations by doing hard things. I love this concept!!  I'm a firm believer in striving to be EXCELLENT and expecting the best out of myself and others.  Not that I or any one else is perfect, of course, but that we don't settle for mediocrity in our attitudes, performance, leadership, responsibilities, commitments, and service.

The website mentioned uses 1 Timothy 4:12 as its key verse.  I'll close with an excerpt from their site:

In 1 Timothy 4:12, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." In other words, as young people we are called to be exemplary in all areas of life. Our generation is falling incredibly short of that calling. Instead of serving as the launching pad of life, the teen years are seen as a vacation from responsibility. We call it the "myth of adolescence." And the Rebelution is all about busting that myth.

Feed Them and They Will Come...

As our high school teams began the past-District playoffs, I decided to feed them breakfast on the Thursday before the big game beginning the next weekend tournament.  Last Thursday, in addition to all of the meat/egg dishes, I made them these English Royalty Chocolate Chip Scones (Posted at www.3cherrycokes.blogspot.com from last week).  Most, if not all, of them had never eaten a scone, so they were introduced to something really new.

I promised the girls and boys' teams that if they were still in the quest towards the gold ball at State, I would continue to feed them a breakfast each Thursday.  With this week's hectic schedule, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to swing having the breakfast, but then I saw one of the girls and she asked me about it.  I told her I was trying to, but wasn't sure (mostly because I wasn't sure what time the teams were leaving school).  

But what she said made all the difference:  "You promised you would, so I was just wondering."  At that moment, I told myself that I/we could make it happen, as long as the coach said okay.  If I've promised something, I will do whatever it takes to make it happen.  I don't like breaking promises - at all.  I don't want it to ever appear like I have lied.  She was just asking a question and not trying to make me feel bad, but her simple question made me even more determined.

This week I got a few moms to help me with the meal, which helped (didn't get me to bed any sooner, but it helped with the food!).  We served more chocolate chip scones (pictured above and made by another mom), fruit, homemade cinnamon rolls, and I made hash browns, breakfast burritos, and sausage & biscuits with gravy.  They had plenty to eat, for sure!

The cheerleaders joined in with the teams as they prepared to cheer on their friends and ball teams.

After a few refills of plates, it was time to get on the bus and head to the first round of the Area Tournament!

                                      

Part of the reason I wasn't sure about the breakfast had to do with these shirts pictured above!!  For the first time ever, we ordered playoff shirts!  In a matter of four days (with no school on Monday), we collected money for these shirts.  We had 217 shirts ordered on Tuesday morning.  Wednesday I drove to San Angelo, TX to get the shirts....about a 4 1/2 hour drive.  I wanted to make sure we had time to deliver them Wednesday afternoon for the game the next day.

We arrived at the huge gymnasium.  It was so neat and a fun atmosphere.  My boys and husband got a tour of the facility and the high school from a former teacher and student of THS.  They thought that the whole town of Tipton would have been equal to the number of about one class at this big high school!

Sadly, one of our starters and point guard, Amanda, had emergency appendectomy yesterday morning and didn't get to play.  Without getting down and discouraged, our girls played their hearts out!  Even after getting behind, they came back to within a few points several times.  We lost, but we gave them a good run for the win, for sure!  The girls are done now, but our boys won!  More basketball this afternoon and hopefully tomorrow!

I love this sign on the Yukon gym.  Love what it says!

The teams asked me yesterday if I would feed them breakfast next week.  That would be the State Tournament.  I told them I would - most definitely!!  Then they asked if I would the next week.....after basketball is over.  I loudly exclaimed, "NO!"  :)  It is really a joy feeding these kids.  They appreciate it and I enjoy doing it for them.  Little things.....showing that you care in simple ways.....means a lot to people.  

Take the time to do something for someone TODAY.  If you choose to feed teenagers, they will come! And they will come back for more!  And you will "Shine Like Stars" in doing so.

Have a great weekend!  I'll keep you posted on the playoffs and the quest for the GOLD!

Teen Valentine Banquet/Scavenger Hunt 2012

Linked to Heavenly Homemakers' GRATITUESDAY (find out what I'm grateful for at the end of this post.)

Sunday night was our annual teen valentine banquet and scavenger hunt.  When we got out of evening worship around 7:00 p.m., it was snowing!  Never before have we had snow on that evening, so that was really exciting! (Especially since we hardly get it at all in the winter.)

This year there were 51 teens/adults in attendance, with 9 more teens coming back with groups after the scavenger hunt.  We've always made it work by lining up long tables in row, where there was little room to move around.

This year we were able to spread out and make it a lot more roomy by having seating in the new addition of our home.  Pretty neat!

One thing the teens especially look forward to is the food, of course!

It's always the same menu:  chicken and beef lasagna, green beans, and breadsticks.  Lots and lots of breadsticks - 200 this year!  There were seven left over!  First time ever to have some left!  Oh, yes....and desserts.  Can't forget the desserts. (All of my recipes can me found at www.3cherrycokes.blogspot.com)

After eating, the teens were divided into five teams for the annual scavenger hunt.

One of the items on the hunt said, "a colored, flavored marshmallow".  Kamen, a 7th grader, came up with the colored marshmallow part all on his own!  Not sure if it was flavored or not....afraid to ask!

My husband is checking out the lists...making sure the teams got their required items.

The groups all have to bring back two people with them, who were not previously at our house.  We sing devotional songs and my husbands gives a short devo.

Since it was snowing and since one of the new guests that came back was the daughter of our school superintendent, she called her dad and we all yelled, "CANCEL SCHOOL!!"  It didn't work (unfortunately :).  We did have school yesterday!  And, it was fine....the roads weren't slick.  The kids were all disappointed and so was I!! (I like snow days!) 

We enjoy hosting the teens each year for this special evening, but something occurred to me yesterday. The older church members are just as excited about the evening, because they know the teens will be stopping by gathering items, singing songs, getting signatures, and doing good deeds for them.  It's a fun way to get the teens and "senior saints" together in a unique way.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!  Remember that the love of God is more important than any other love you know!  He loves you SOOOOO MUCH!  And that love, is why I'm so grateful on this GRATITUESDAY!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16


JOIN us for GRATITUESDAY at Heavenly Homemakers!