"They probably put Christmas oils in their vents too." Friendsgiving Club

We had a dream. How can we combine Thanksgiving and the final dinner at Castaway Club? 

Thanks to our YL Committee, HS kids and leaders-- that dream came true. 

1. Ask kids to bring food to add to the Friendsgiving Feast. 

2. Fill up your plates with more food than you've ever seen-- pizza, popcorn, mac & cheese, green bean casserole, chicken, fruit stuffing, mashed potatoes, a dozen kinds of cookies,  dirt pudding, 10 pies, fruit tray, corn muffins and more. 

3. Get the greatest committee ever to set up a giant banquet table for the kids before the night begins. Our kids LOVED it.

4. Feast. Celebrate. Laugh. Eat some more.

5. Set up a kid's table just in case.

6. Get all of the HS kids to help clean everything up before you start the rest of Club.

7. Have a Turkey "Stuffing" competition with trash bags and balloons.

8. Blindfold competitors, feed them 4 different Thanksgiving foods, have them guess the food, give a prize to the kid with the fastest time.

9. Draw Thanksgiving Turkey hands and write in all the things you're thankful for. Bring extra paper and art supplies.

10. Have all the kids send a text out to family or friends asking them to support YL in Giving Tuesday. Tell the kids that the person who brings in the most money will win a Chik-Fil-A lunch party for all their friends at school.

11. Ask a Senior to give the Club Talk. Be blown away by how he shares the gospel in an authentic and engaging way. "I want to tell you about the greatest love story ever told... It's about you and God. It's about me and God. It's about all of us and God."

12. Be extra thankful for everything Young Life is about. These are some of the best friends you'll ever have.

"I'm thankful that you found out what my name was in 7th grade and welcomed me in!! Oh, and friendship bracelets!!"

It was truly a Thanksgiving Break of dreams-- the best people, the best places, the best foods and the best things. 

Wednesday morning I reunited with Molly, Kayla and our New Yorker Alli at Patachou. Between the drop biscuits and cinnamon toast, you just can't go wrong here. 

 I'm so thankful for these pals and friendship that continue for years and years.

Justin and I made the trip up to Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with my family. Redford loves his money so much he can't even handle it and Lincoln made a super cool shield.

We had the greatest Thanksgiving feast that I've ever had. I'm so thankful for my family who loves one another so well and takes care of each other.

The day after Thanksgiving, Justin and I celebrated with his family back in Indy. We taught Nick all about produce...

Linda broke out her new cheese plate and we all took a walk to the pond in the neighborhood.

I'm so thankful for this family that laughs often, shows up and really cares about one another.

 Saturday I reunited with Maddie and Cass for our own Dream Day. We wrote pen pal letters...

walked through Ikea, visited the library...

played two games of laser tag and ate pepperoni pizza at Mellow Mushroom. It was the best.

And somehow, even in the midst of all the craziness, I still got all my Christmas decorating finished.