Whew!

Since the last time I updated this blog I have been in Kentucky, North Dakota (again), South Dakota, and Minnesota twice. Not to mention I leave for Texas in a few hours. That's why I named this blog entry "whew!"

It always seems as if Spring is a busy season for all, but I can't remember ever having a busier one than this one has been so far. To explain all that I have been up to would be a little crazy, and would take up too much of your time, so I will do my best to hit a few key topics.

The Young Daniel Whitewater team went down to Kentucky for a weekend to help and participate with the kickoff weekend of Kentucky's Change! chapter. Not only was it amazing to see good friends again, but to meet some of the first High School students to go through the Change! program was incredible. It seems like I have been talking to people for so long about the program without seeing it in action, but now I have!

I had the opportunity to take a trip to the Dakotas with Clint Elliot. The morning we were leaving I woke up with a nasty cold and almost did not go, but God worked through it all and with a lot of sleep and cough drops the weekend went very well. We had the opportunity to talk to and encourage a church located in Valley City, ND to make building up the next generation a priority! We used 1st Timothy 4:12 to illustrate a few ways to do that. It ended up that about 70 people came, which is one of the larger groups of people that I have ever talked to. A year ago I would not have been comfortable. God sure can use us in ways we never thought possible. Clint and I were also able to lead two Young Daniel workshops with Tim and Carol Huber.

Two weekends ago I was able to participate in the worship band at a new church to me. It was neat to see how different churches run things different, and of course I loved the opportunity to play some drums! The very same day I was also able to play drums at a local youth group. This youth group is a place I won't easily forget, they have created a welcoming community that is willing to talk about the hard things in life!

Last weekend a good friend of mine named Alek and myself ran sound for a High School choir tour. It is the same choir that I was a part of last year. We were in charge of driving ourselves there and setting up, running, and tearing down the entire sound system at each venue the choir performed at in Minnesota. It was a lot harder than I imagined it would be, but at the same time it was an incredible experience! I learned so much from Alek, and the little time I got to spend with my choir friends was also very enjoyable.

As I write this I have about 3 hours until I need to leave my apartment to meet up with about 45 other people who on their way to Texas! We will be spending a week about an hour south of Houston Texas on a mission trip. Work projects, community outreach, beach time, worship time, and even helping leading a devotional time are all things that I will experience this coming week!

What I love to hear now, is what have you been up to? How are you keeping busy this beautiful spring season? Feel free to get a hold of me!  Phone: (608)217-6956 Email: c.strange.27@gmail.com

In His Grace,
Charlie