Camp Video

Click on the link below to see our week at camp.

http://vimeo.com/26463935

We Are Back

WOW What a week,

The best part of going there is coming home...Although there might be a few teens that disagree with that statement. We went to Cove Crest to get soaked into God's Love, to get thrown into His Grace, to get drenched in His forgiveness, is that enough analogy for you. From the Mud pit, to the High and Low ropes course, to the White water rafting and oh how can we forget the Gauntlet. We had a blast, and with no major injuries I might ad.

God showed up in all those in attendance, from the 3 guy/girl sessions, to daily mass, (I'll talk about that a little later) Adoration in front of the blessed sacrament, a rosary walk, outdoor stations of the cross in the woods, Awesome musicians, who by the way are from Abbeville, and of course the presenter that delivered an EPIC talk all week long. The group was introduced to a man that goes by the name of "Happy" and talked to the group about the need to go through life looking at the BLESSINGs life offers and not spend alot of time on the negatives, ending his presentation with his motto of "UBI" U are the best, Be Happy, and I Love You! The teens were challenged spiritually to go beyond the norm, be better than the world wants them to be, treat others with the same respect they would have for themselves.

On a personal note: The teens from St. Mary's were great, they were respectful of each other and of others, yea there were a little shananagans in the guys cabin, but it was IN the cabin not out! I am honored to say that was our youth group when asked "Who is that?" The camp staff made comments to me about that. So be proud of yourselves as parents and teens you represented well.

I spoke above about the fact that we attended daily mass, I want to say a few words about that, Your teens loved it sure it was difficult at first but by the 3rd day they were fine with it some actually looked forward to it. I expressed my desire and prayer for them is to attend mass every Sunday, and make missing mass a rarity, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states 3 reasons we are excused from mass on Sundays, our sickness, care of elderly or small children and if there simply is not a church where we are, but that is rarely the case here in the US. As parents we are obligated to getting our families to Church on Sundays and Holy days.

I expressed the way we can live out Cove Crest in our lives every day, is to focus on 4 things,

First is The Sacraments, Sunday mass is a sacrament, Reception of Communion is the best way we can physically receive Christ, as he commands us in the Gospels.

Secondly, Prayer, in praying we are communication with the VERY same God that created those mountains we climbed, the Chattogga river we rafted down.

Third: Community, being with those that are striving after the same spiritual goals you are looking for, That is why I cannot stress enough the need to get your teens to Life Teen events, that means Life Nights, Couch Room on Tuesdays, and checking this blog is the best way we can inform you.

Lastly, Service, in serving other we are serving Him, and this will happen this up coming year.

I know this is alot to digest but we had a week to unfold to you, and reminders for your teens as well. Thanks again for loaning your teens to us, we will see them Sunday evening at mass at 5PM and Life Night at 6, till 7:30 or so. God Bless you all

Art<><

Hello from Cove Crest

As I said when you dropped off your teens I would update the blog with whats happening, well dare I say alot, there's an old saying no news is good news, and I do have good news, we went white water rafting today and although a number of us got wet, no one got hurt, PRAISE GOD! Your teens are amazing, it did not take them long to jump into camp head on. Your teens are not having a problem fitting in.

I feel I need to let you know what's going on as far as what they are hearing. The theme of the week is EPIC ADVENTURE it's set with a mid-evil theme the camp decor looks great. Along with this EPIC theme the week started out with your teens hearing about the EPIC Love of God the Father, and how much God loves them where they are, and the fact that it is no accident that they are here. This epic love is for all of them like the love their own father has for them, never ending and unconditional.

Day 2 the theme was EPIC RESCUE, this rescue was how God can rescue them from their sin through the sacrament of reconciliation. All of your teens went to the sacrament some of them for the first time in a very long time. I don't have to tell you how things really began to change at that point. The freedom that comes with the sacrament of confession simply cannot be measured.

Day 3 (Today) EPIC SPIRIT The power of the Holy Spirit was given permission to take over the lives of your teens. This saving power moved through them and some remarkable things took place in them, surrender to God's grace through His Holy Spirit was shown tonight.

Please continue to pray for your kids God's not finished with them yet, as we continue with the

EPIC ADVENTURE, on the ropes course Wednesday. This is much safer than Rafting I promise.

If you are wondering what you can do, please continue to pray for YOUR teen, and know that they are in GREAT hands.

May our loving Father bless all of you back home, I am your servant in Christ

Art Garrett, <><

Let's All Take a Few Minutes....

....and reflect on our delightful friend Emily Broussard's journey thus far through her summer as a Covecrest summer missionary. We'll have an opportunity to visit with her and her fellow workers in 3 short days(!!!!!:):):):)), but for now, let's continue to prepare our hearts for this amazing week by praying with and reflecting on Emily's inspired insights into how God uses our weaknesses for his Glory--oh how He loves us!!

Thanks for sharing this with us Em!!  Click on the Link below to read her post:


this is real life.: a few things I've learned since I've been here...: "So, I figured that since we're about halfway through my time here at Covecrest, it would be great to blog about a few things that I've learn..."

Ahhhhh Short Week

OK so this week is one of those weeks that before you know it, it's Saturday! And when I woke up this morning, got out of bed dragged the comb across my head...went down stairs and had a cup, looking up I noticed I was late...oops sorry The Beatles in me took over. But yea we leave in just 2 very short days I know those of you that are not coming with us must be getting tired of these post, but I want to make you a promise, for these 22 teens that are going to camp, this will ignite youth ministry, "ignite" 4th of July haha, but yes when we return there will be a fire in their gut that will be infectious. And this will transfer into others, So please pray for these teens and leaders that are traveling to Tiger, GA on Saturday, pray that God's Holy Spirit will light the fire within each one of them, that they can change their world and yours.

REMINDERS----MASS Saturday evening 4:30PM St. Mary's

Check in starts at 9:00 BE ON TIME

All Meds need to be in a zip-lock bag with your name on it

Bus Leaves at 9:30PM Sharp

QUESTIONS plez ask!!!!

MOVIE NIGHT and Stuff

June 2011 "GONE" already, man If I did'nt know any better I'd think we were leaving for camp in 10 days, Oh yea WE ARE!!! I got an e-mail from our host for the week and he is pumped that we are bringing so many from the Lafayette area. The Red's pool party was awesome sorry for those of you that did not make it. It was great to see some of our incoming freshman there I know they had a blast.

OK Friday night July 1st "MOVIE NIGHT" in the couch room 7PM you've been to movie nights before you know its a great time, so this one will be no different. We still have Ice Cream left from couch room, and we forgot the sprinkles so we have that to look forward to. So bring a friend Friday Night we'll be there by 6:45 or so come early if you like. See you then.

Have a great rest of the week, and remember It's the Spirit not the flesh!

Art<><

Oh My Goodness, we leave in 2 weeks!

I can't believe its almost here, your core team is so excited about spending a week at camp with you amazing young people. I was just checking e-mails and figured some of you would like to know where some of your fellow campers are driving/flying in from, so in addition to the 27 From St. Mary's, the 50 from St. Pius and the 24 from Sacred Heart in New Iberia, there will be a group from Hoover Alabama, Indialantic, Florida, (Google it), 2 other groups from Florida, Langley Virginia and San Antonio, Texas. So Yea you will get to meet teens from all over the country. Make friends with these people you may find that some of them could be coming to school here for college one day.

I cannot try and convince you enough to come to the RED'S pool party the more you hang out with each other the more you will grow as a family and what I always say I stand on, 3 things are important to a walk with Christ, Sacraments, Prayer and Fellowship these my friends are paramount in a relationship with Christ. Brothers and Sisters in Christ all after the same goal, spending eternity with Jesus in Heaven. So see you Sunday evening at RED'S 6:30ish bring a friend, EVANGELIZE!!!!!

I'll see you BEYOND THE BLUE ROOM....

Summer Reminders

FIRST, this Sunday is Fathers Day honor your dad, do something special for him, Fathers Day dates back to 1909, as an answer to a woman named Sonora Dodd who wanted to honor her dad, and her dads birthday was on June 19, 1910, In 1913, a bill in accordance with making the day official was introduced. The idea was approved by US President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Later, in 1924, the idea gained further momentum as it was supported by President Calvin Coolidge. In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City. However, it was thirty years later that a Joint Resolution of Congress gave recognition to Father's Day. Another 16 years passed before President Richard Nixon established the third Sunday of June, as a permanent national observance day of Father's Day in 1972.

I don't know why I did this you might need it on Jeopardy one day!

SECONDLY Sunday June 26th is out LIFETEEN pool party at REDS it begins at 7:00 last till 9 i think, I'm sure someone will write a correction. Bring a friend it is always fun.

THIRD: In just 3 short weeks 22 awesome teens and 5, no no scratch that 6 core team members will be traveling to TIGER, GA for the most amazing weeks of their lives. Cove Crest here we come, man I hope their ready for us. (They do so love it when we come to camp) So the 6Th core member in case you're wondering is, Alan Arabie, we would like to welcome Alan back to core, he is super excited about diving back into ministry this summer and into next year, welcome aboard Alan.

OK so that's it for now, I'll see you Beyond the Blue room, (I know it's kinda corny but it's still fun to say)

Lafayette Goes to Cove Crest

HEY COVE CRESTERS!!

 

Don't forget about the BBQ at Art's Tonight @ 6:30!!!

 

We'll hangout, eat some grub, talk t-shirts, and have a bit of fun before we leave for Georgia in a few short weeks!!

 

SEE Y'ALL TONIGHT!!!