Right before the president of Ecuador began some strict travel measures and basically sent the entire country into quarantine, we held a leadership camp with 40 current and potential leaders.  While there was some initial hesitation from leaders about attending due to the rising concern over COVID-19, it was such a wonderful time together.  We were able to speak (face-to-face) with our team and confront the oncoming fear and concern. 
One thing was clear as we all left camp:  we will not stop sharing the good news of Christ with teenagers.  
Back in January, we set a goal to bring 200 new kids to camp in August.  It was a big goal (even then). 

• We might not be allowed to gather for Club, J.A.M. or leadership meetings.  
• We might not be able to hang out in the parks and do contact work with kids.  
• We might not be able to have a large outreach camp.  

But our goal to reach 200 kids by the end of August does not change.  
We are being called to innovation. 
We are being called to be intentional. 
We are being called to raise up a banner of hope and peace. 
YL begins with relationships.  COVID-19 does not change that. 
(Trust me, Ivan and I dated long-distance for 7 years, you really can build relationship without being in the same room together...) 

Training Camp

For those of you wondering, but how are you doing? 
I need to be honest, I'm not suffering. 
We live on a beautiful piece of property surrounded by nature. 
We have good internet service.  We have access to Netflix. 
Let's be real, I'm usually at home with Benjamin anyway.  My days really don't look that different. 
We might be a little obsessed with checking the news and updates (like the rest of the world) but we are also making sure to have time away from the social media, news, and overabundance of messages.  Yes, the memes are funny.  Some of those videos help lighten the mood, but in the end, we all need a little distancing from the constant flow of information.  Let's talk about something else, because life is still happening.  Like potty training.  Let's talk about that, because after Day 1, I was certain that all those Pinterest articles had lied to me.  We took quarantine to a whole new level.  Closing off a small portion of the house (that is not carpeted) for Benjamin to hang out.  Good news, Day 2 we saw improvement and by Day 3 he was practically a champion.  Turns out, Pinterest didn't lie to me after all. 

I love this post that I saw (which is why I'm sharing it):

1.  I'm GRATEFUL for Benjamin's clean underwear!  (aka accident free!!!)
2.  I'm CONNECTING with friends through messages, video calls, and e-mails.
3.  I am LETTING GO of our outings and running of errands. 
4.  I went OUTSIDE and hung up some laundry and did some weeding.
5.  I am MOVING my body because of said potty training...we hear his cry for "potty" and we run! 
6.  I am embracing BEAUTY by cooking, literally smelling the roses, and tidying up the house. 

In the midst of a lot of unknowns, I stand on what I do know. 

"For I am convinced that neither death or life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38

Stay at home

Nobody fighting at the ice cream aisle.  Just saying.  

Beautiful place to be "stuck"