Youth Mission Training Camp 2009

Our family just spent the week at Lake Yale in Leesburg, FL. Ocean Park took over 50 teenagers plus chaperons for a time of Mission Training and drawing closer to God. What an awesome time we had! Russ grew up going to this camp every year - and even surrendered to the ministry in the chapel at Lake Yale when He was 16. He took his own Youth Groups there as well. It has been over 8 years since we were last there - it was so good to be back and to have Jarod and Anne there as well.


Anne made friends quickly! She's scaring me! This is Blake. Blake and his twin brother are 6 and they fought for Anne's attention all week. Blake announced he was going to marry Anne when he grew up. Better watch out, Leif! Anne decided she can have more than one boyfriend. We are in for it! This particular morning when I was doing her hair - she asked, "Are you doing pigtails?" I told her I was and she said, "Oh good! Blake likes my pigtails!" So I asked her how she knew that and she said, "He told me so." She's 4!!!!! She found him shortly afterwards and slipped her hand into his. Please pray for us!


Our fearless leader, Jane! She is the Youth Director at Ocean Park and our wonderful friend! We just love Jane! She helped camp go so smoothly.

How high can we go? They came splashing down shortly after this!


Russ took the kids canoeing! What fun!

Russ' parents came down for a few hours. They had dinner with us and stayed for chapel service. Carl is one of the men who started this camp over 40 years ago. It was during camp in 1968 that they called to tell him Helen was going to the hospital to have Russell!

Three generations of campers!

The camp emphasis this year was Mission Training. We trained the students in different areas so that they can take their gifts and tallents on mission trips. I got to break out the puppets. I had so much fun! The teens did a great job!

Of course Russ and Perry did their infamous "Peanut Butter Deodorant" Skit! All of the Ocean Park people got a taste of the crazy side of Russell Franklin! Everyone kept looking at me expecting me to be shocked! I know better! The stories will fly come Sunday morning!

Eewwwwe!!!!!! How gross! Of course I have to tell you, he dips bread in it and eats it! UGH!

Of course, Perry gets right in there too and this time they dipped Freetos in it! The teens go absolutely crazy! Talk about loud!


Jarod played a part in his cabin's skit. He did a great job!


As part of his Mission Training, Jarod took the Guitar class. They learned and played "Pharoh, Pharoh" This is Thursday night - you can see how tired he is!

Russ taught a Bible Study all week and took part in the Dr. Seuss devotionals each night. He taught a devotional about the Sneetches and used it to illustrate how we are all unique for a reason and that God loves us just the way we are. He really encouraged the girls not to buy into the media and what they tell us we should look like, but to be happy with who we are.

To go along with the Dr. Seuss theme, my cabin all made our own T-Shirts with different characters from the books! It was fun!

Lot's of memories from this week! We are tired and I have a ton of laundry to do. But it was worth it. We were able to be around people from our new church and get to know them better. And, they got to know us as well. Teens were saved and many surrendered their lives to say "Yes" to whatever God asks of them. It was an awesome week! Until next time......